Whole Body Counting
Detector Applications Information Note
Introduction
The following information was developed as part of a
presentation of the theoretical interrelation among detector
volume, background, sensitivity, false positives, etc., as
applied to infant whole body counting. Although directed
at that specific application, the data has general relevance
to low level radiation monitoring applications.
Count Rate Data
In calculating the net counts S N from a sample, the
background counts SB are subtracted from the total or gross
counts SG in the region of interest.
SN = SG - SB
The statistical error in S N is obtained by summing in
quadrature the statistical errors in SG and SB. The statistical
error is the square root of the counts in that quantity. Thus,
EN = (EG2 + EB2)1/2
where
EN = the statistical error in SN (the unknown)
EG = the statistical error in SG (calculated from the data)
EB = the statistical error in SB (estimated from the data)
the statistical error (equal to one standard deviation) in EG and EB
are simply the square root of the respective counts, i.e.,
EG = √SG and
EB = √SB
The sample count is significant if it is greater than the error
in the sample counts.
Suppose SN~0, then SG = SB, EG = EB and the error in the
sample
EN = (EG2 + EB2)1/2 = (2EB2)1/2 = 1.41EB
(for one sigma confidence level)
Thus SN does not become significant until it is greater than
1.41 EG for one standard deviation for a 68% confidence level.
If two standard deviations or 95% confidence level is
desired, then EG and EB should be chosen to be two standard
deviations or
EG = 2 √SG and EB = 2 √SB
Then for SN~0, the sample error ES becomes:
EN= ((2EG )2 + (2EB )2)1/2
= (8EB2)1/2
= 2.82EB
(for two sigma confidence level)
And SN does not become significant until it is greater than
2.82 EG for a 95% confidence level. And for three sigma and
99% confidence level
EN = 4.24 EB
Minimum Detectable Activity
There is no national standard that sets limits on reporting
of significant data. The net sample count rate must be
greater than the total error – but, how much greater? When
counting humans and when doing some clinical studies on
non-humans, it is important to report positive results. It is
equally important to avoid reporting false-positive results.
One technique used to reduce the number of false-positives
is to require that the net counts be at least at the 3 sigma
level or
SN > 4.24 EG
If the background count rate is 10 c/s and a counting time
of 1000 seconds is used, we can calculate the required net
counts (SN ).
EN = 4.24EB = 4.24 √10000 = 424 counts
SB = 10c/s X 1000S or 10,000 counts
This tells us that the net counts should be 424 counts, or
a rate of 4.24 c/s in the presence of a 10 c/s background
count rate is significant if the counting time is 1000 seconds.
If the counting time is shorter, then the net count rate must
be higher to be considered significant.
We can now build on this brief introduction to get an
expression for minimum detectable activity (MDA). MDA is
that sample activity which causes the net count rate to be the
error of the background count rate at the three sigma level.
MDA (picocuries) = 4.24 EB
(D)(Eff.)(.037d/s/pCi)
Where D = the number of gamma rays per disintegration, Eff.
= the detection efficiency for the gamma ray of interest, and
there are 0.037 disintegrations per picocurie.
One of the elements of interest in whole body counting is
Potassium. Natural Potassium consists of the isotopes 39,
40, and 41. The abundance of the radioactive isotope K-40
that emits a 1.46 MeV gamma ray is 0.012%. Going through
the calculation, we can derive the gamma specific activity
of natural Potassium = 3.5 gammas per second per gram.
As a goal, we set out to design an Infant Counter capable
of detecting 1 gram of Potassium in a counting time of
1000 seconds. We then converted 3.5 gammas per second
per gram to 860 picocuries per gram to find the MDA
required. Using the previous MDA expression with wide
window background of 10 counts per second and D=11%,
solve for the required efficiency of detection.
CRYSTALS
Whole Body Counting

Does the calculated efficiency seem reasonable for the Infant
to Detector geometry? The detector is a single 4 x 4 x 18”
NaI(Tl) crystal and the Infant is 4.5 x 16” (for the purpose
of this study).
Using an iterative process, add the detector with the
associated background and solve for efficiency. Continue
until a reasonable efficiency/geometry solution is achieved.
Center line of detector to center line of infant is approximated
as 8”. The data table shows the calculated detection efficiency
required for a constant desired MDA in a constant fixed
counting time when the background count rate is changed.
It is important to note that the MDA is more sensitive to
detection efficiency than to detector background. This is
based on the fact that the approximate detector efficiency
(column 4) increases faster than the calculated efficiency
for measuring a MDA of 860 (column 3).
counting time required for the given MDA. When counting
infants, the preferred action is to reduce the counting time.
The detector efficiency referred to is the total efficiency (as
distinguished from the total absorption peak efficiency).
There are many ways to stack 4 x 4 x 18” NaI(Tl) detectors
to achieve a counting efficiency equal to or greater than
that required to achieve the MDA of 860 picocuries per
gram Potassium in 1000 seconds. A very good geometry
which maximizes efficiency would be to stack 14 of the
4 x 4 x 18” detectors to form a hollow rectangle with inside
dimensions of approximately 12 x 12 x 18”. When an infant
is placed inside this chamber, we can calculate the K-40
counting efficiency to be approximately 64%. The required
efficiency for an MDA of 89 picocuries per gram Potassium
in 1000 seconds is 37%. With a 60% efficiency, we could
reduce the counting time to 100 seconds for the same MDA.

Also note that, when there are more than six detectors, we
are meeting or exceeding the required efficiency (column 3).
Next, we must examine the infant to detector geometry
as the number of detectors is increased. We know what is
needed; and if our estimated detection efficiency is greater
than needed, we can either remove detectors or reduce the
In closing this brief presentation, we might add another
factor that greatly complicates the concept of whole body
counting. This factor is the need to determine concentrations
of more than one radioactive element in a single counting
period. Energy resolution, total absorption peak efficiency,
energy window widths, and spectrum stripping then come
into play.

# of Detectors Background c/s in ROI Eff. to Measure 1g to KNat Approximate Detector Eff.
1 10 12% 5%

2 20 17% 9%

3 30 21% 14%

4 40 24% 18%

5 50 27% 23%

6 60 30% 27%

7 70 32% 32%

8 80 34% 37%

9 90 36% 41%

10 100 38% 46%

12 120 42% 55%

14 140 45% 64%

Saint-Gobain Crystals
The data presented are believed to be correct but are not guaranteed to be so.
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