When should radioactive seeds be removed prior to cremation?

Radioactive seeds, often used in certain medical treatments such as brachytherapy for cancer, can pose a risk during cremation due to their potential to release harmful radiation. The appropriate timing for their removal is crucial to ensure safety for both the crematory staff and the public.

The recommendation to remove radioactive seeds within two weeks before death is based on safety protocols that prioritize minimizing the risk of radiation exposure. This relatively short timeframe allows for the seeds to be adequately addressed before the decedent’s body is prepared for cremation. By ensuring their removal within two weeks, crematories can effectively mitigate the hazards associated with cremating individuals who have undergone such treatments, as the seeds could survive the cremation process and lead to contamination or exposure.

Other options suggest varying timeframes or indicate that removal may be dependent on family requests or unnecessary. However, for the safety of operational staff and public health, a proactive approach is required to remove these radioactive materials as soon as it is feasible, but certainly within the stated two-week window.