Uptake of ¹³¹I in households of thyroid cancer patients.

Fifty persons and pets living with thyroid cancer patients who were treated with large administered activities of I have been surveyed to ascertain their uptake of radioiodine from the domestic environment. All patients had been hospitalized for one night after the therapeutic administration, and the thyroids of the cohabitants were assayed 3-10 d after the patients returned home. Seven of the assays were positive for I in the thyroid gland. The transmitted quantities absorbed by the cohabitants were all less than 10 of the patients' burdens at discharge.