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Title: Dissolution rate and radiation dosimetry of metal tritides

Conference ·
OSTI ID:10112148

Metal tritides including titanium tritide (Ti{sup 3}H{sub x}) and erbium tritide (Er{sup 3}H{sub x}) have been used as components of neutron generators. These compounds can be released to the air as aerosols during fabrication, assembling, and testing of components or in accidental or fugitive releases; as a result, workers may be exposed to these compounds by inhalation. A joint research project between Sandia National Laboratories and the Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute was initiated to investigate the solubility of metal tritide particles, to determine retention and translocation of inhaled particles in animals, and to develop an internal dosimetry model. The current understanding of metal tritides and their radiation dosimetry for internal exposure is very limited. The ICRP Report 30 does not provide for tritium dosimetry in metal tritide form. The current radiation protection guidelines for metal tritide particles are based on the assumption that the biological behavior is similar to tritiated water which could be easily absorbed into body fluid, and therefore, a relatively short biological half life (10 days). If the solubility is low, the biological half life of metal tritide particles and the dosimetry of inhalation exposure to these particles could be quite different from tritiated water. This would have significant implications in the current health protection guidelines including annual limits of intakes and derived air concentrations. The preliminary results of our metal tritide dissolution study indicated that the solubility of titanium tritide is low.

Research Organization:
Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Inst., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76EV01013
OSTI ID:
10112148
Report Number(s):
CONF-9304128-23; ON: DE95006162
Resource Relation:
Conference: Department of Energy (DOE) radiation protection conference,Las Vegas, NV (United States),13-15 Apr 1993; Other Information: PBD: [1993]
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English