The Estimation of Internal Radiation Dose from Metabolic and Urinary Excretion Data for A Number of Important Radionuclides

Abstract

Investigation of an individual case of accidental intake of a radionuclide by determination of the amount of radionuclide in urine has as its object the best practicable estimate of the radiation dose commitment to the critical organ. For this purpose, it is desirable to analyse a carefully planned series of urine samples, in order to diminish the uncertainty attaching to single, isolated results and to provide data for a searching comparison with the best documented cases of defined intake, which provide the basis for interpretation. The primary purpose of routine urine analysis of samples from a group of radiation workers to detect any significant intake which has otherwise escaped attention. It is convenient to reduce from the available metabolic data an investigation level of urinary excretion rate below which no action is judged to be necessary, but above which investigation of the cause of intake and consideration of further action is required. A review is presented of the human data available on the metabolism and excretion of caesium, phosphorus, polonium, plutonium, radium, strontium, sulphur, tritium and uranium, and values of investigation level are suggested for these radionuclides.