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Biological characterization of radiation exposure and dose estimates for inhaled uranium milling effluents

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6820217· OSTI ID:6820217
 [1]
  1. Inhalation Toxicology Research Inst., Albuquerque, NM (USA)

The problems addressed are the protection of uranium mill workers from occupational exposure to uranium through routine bioassay programs and the assessment of accidental worker exposures. Comparisons of chemical properties and the biological behavior of refined uranium ore (yellowcake) are made to identify important properties that influence uranium distribution patterns among organs. These studies will facilitate calculations of organ doses for specific exposures and associated health risk estimates and will identify important bioassay procedures to improve evaluations of human exposures. Samples of airborne uranium from operating mills and deposition models were used to predict appreciable deposition rates in the upper respiratory tract of workers, if respiratory protection were not used. A biokinetic model of retention and excretion of yellowcake inhaled by Beagle dogs was developed. Comparison of the results with available data from human exposures showed that organ burdens in an exposed worker can be estimated from urinary bioassay results and in vivo counting, if the chemical composition, or soluble fraction, of the inhaled yellowcake is known. 34 refs., 31 figs., 24 tabs.

Research Organization:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (USA). Div. of Regulatory Applications; Inhalation Toxicology Research Inst., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
NRC
OSTI ID:
6820217
Report Number(s):
NUREG/CR-5489; LMF--124; ON: TI90012914
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English