Content of uranium in urine of uranium miners as a tool for estimation of intakes of long-lived alpha radionuclides

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2011 Nov;147(4):593-9. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncq542. Epub 2011 Jan 4.

Abstract

Uranium in the urine of 10 uranium miners (hewers), 27 members of general population and 11 family members of miners was determined by the High-Resolution ICP-MS method. Concentration of uranium in urine of the miners was converted to daily excretion of (238)U under the assumption that the daily excretion of urine is 2 l and compared with the modelled excretion of (238)U. Daily excretion of (238)U was modelled using input data from personal dosemeters from a component for measurement of intake of long-lived alpha radionuclides. A reasonable agreement between evaluated and measured values was found. The uncertainty of inhalation intakes, derived from measurements of filters from personal dosemeters, and uncertainty of concentration of uranium in urine are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alpha Particles*
  • Cesium Radioisotopes / analysis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Middle Aged
  • Mining*
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiation Monitoring*
  • Uranium / urine*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cesium Radioisotopes
  • Uranium