In vivo measurement of organ mercury by prompt gamma activation analysis using a mobile nuclear reactor

The in vivo measurement of mercury in kidneys was investigated by detecting prompt gamma-ray emission after neutron absorption. A low-power mobile nuclear reactor provides the neutrons, and the kidney phantom is filled with HgCl/sub 2/ solution. The detection limit of mercury in the left kidney for in vivo measurement is 58 ppm under 7200-s irradiation/collection. Possible ways of lowering the detection limit, such as thermalizing the neutrons coupled with modifying the detection system, are discussed.