Metabolic kinetics and dosimetry of titanium tritide particles in the lung
- Inhalation Toxicology Research Inst. Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Internal radiation doses resulting from inhaled metal tritide aerosols are potentially a major radiation protection problem encountered by individuals handling tritium. Based on results of experiments with rats intratracheally instilled with titanium tritide particles and on a self-absorption factor of beta energy determined by a numerical method, a biokinetic model was developed for inhaled particles of titanium tritide. Results showed that lung burdens of the tritide are well represented by a 2-component exponential equation; biological half-lives observed for the retention of {sup 3}H in lung were 0.55 d and 64 d, respectively. The tritium clearance rate via urine or feces was described by a sum of three exponential components. At 121 d after instillation, 79.4% of the initial lung burden of {sup 3}H was eliminated of which 34% was excreted by urine, 35.8% via feces, and 9.6 % through exhaled air. After correction for 82% beta energy self-absorption by tritide particles, the cumulative 3H activity in the lungs of rats was 159 kBq d{sup -1} (4.3 {mu}Ci d{sup -1}) per 37 kBq (1 {mu}Ci) of instilled tritide. The cumulative radiation dose to the average lung mass of the rats was 0.28 mGy kBq{sup -1} of instilled tritide. This information will be useful in developing complete metabolic and dosimetric models for inhaled metal tritides for radiation protection purposes.
- OSTI ID:
- 394067
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9607135--
- Journal Information:
- Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: Suppl.6 Vol. 70; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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