An analysis of workers' tritium concentration in urine samples as a function of time after intake at Korean pressurised heavy water reactors

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2012 Dec;152(4):406-9. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncs053. Epub 2012 Apr 17.

Abstract

In general, internal exposure from tritium at pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) accounts for ∼20-40 % of the total radiation dose. Tritium usually reaches the equilibrium concentration after a few hours inside the body and is then excreted from the body with an effective half-life in the order of 10 d. In this study, tritium metabolism was reviewed using its excretion rate in urine samples of workers at Korean PHWRs. The tritium concentration in workers' urine samples was also measured as a function of time after intake. On the basis of the monitoring results, changes in the tritium concentration inside the body were then analysed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive / urine*
  • Deuterium Oxide*
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Reactors*
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis*
  • Pressure
  • Republic of Korea
  • Tritium / urine*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Tritium
  • Deuterium Oxide