Radiation Protection Glossary

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that secretes thyroid hormones which regulate a number of physiologic processes, including growth, development and metabolism. WIth respect to Ionising Radiation , the thyroid is vulnerable to intakes of radioactive Iodine -125 by either Inhalation or Ingestion . In the event that an intake of I-125 occurs the thyroid will be the organ or accumulation and will preferentially uptake the iodine from the systemic system. This creates an Internal Radiation hazard.