Review and development of an uranium internal dosimetry and monitoring programme at an uranium plant

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2013-05-03

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Beeslaar, Frederik Johannes Louw

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Abstract

Monitoring for internal exposures to uranium and calculating the corresponding Committed Effective Dose (CED) can be complex. Several contributing parameters such as the differences in the physiochemical nature of the uranium compound, the nature of the exposure scenario, variances in human metabolic behaviour and the capabilities of available bioassay techniques add uncertainty in developing an Internal Dosimetry and Monitoring Programme (IDMP). Necsa’s IDMP was reviewed and found to be in line with best international practices and adequate for monitoring routine exposures to Type M uranium. As found in literature and shown in the present study, the monitoring for Type S uranium is problematic. The present study recommends continuance with the current Type S monitoring programme, however, the need for faecal analysis was identified. A combination of bioassay techniques can assist in determining the unknowns in the abovementioned contributing parameters. Analysis done to quantify the effect of differences in the contributing parameters has brought an understanding on how these parameters can influence and IDMP and knowledge gained from the present study will further enhance the programme and assist in developing the necessary documentation, providing the technical justification for Necsa’s uranium IDMP.

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A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science Johannesburg 2013

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