RESUMO
This paper presents the results of determination of activity concentration of 238U and 234U in urine samples of people living in Warsaw (capital of Poland) to evaluate background level of these radionuclides excretion rate (mBq day-1). The samples were taken from women and men in age between 3 and 97 years. The results obtained for 238U daily excretion rate were in range 0.44-30.54 mBq day-1 and for 234U in range 0.33-28.61 mBq day-1. 70 % results were below 6 mBq day-1 upper limit recommended by ICRP for non-exposed people (ICRP, ICRP publications No. 23, report of the task group on reference man, 1975). The results are discussed and some conclusions based upon average values were drawn.
RESUMO
Activity concentration of the uranium and thorium series radionuclides was determined in foodstuffs and drinking water in central Poland. Annual and daily intake for the adult population was estimated from the concentrations determined and average annual consumption of food and water. The daily intakes (in mBq) were 22.1 (238U), 26.5 (234U), 2.38 (232Th), 4.06 (230Th), 11.2 (228Th) and 42.2 (226Ra). The intake of uranium isotopes occurred mainly with water; the main intake of thorium isotopes was with animal products, vegetables, cereals and potatoes, whereas 226Ra entered mainly with animal products, cereals and vegetables. From the intake and dose coefficients, the annual effective doses for the ingested radionuclides were calculated. The annual effective dose was 5.95 microSv, of which 72.4% originated from 226Ra.