The metabolism of 3H compounds and limits for intakes by workers.

ABSTRACT

A wide variety of 3H compounds with different physico-chemical and radiotoxic properties are produced and used throughout the world. For the purpose of worker radiation safety, 3H compounds have been divided into five classes oxide, gaseous, insoluble, soluble organic substances and precursors of nucleic acids. Based on recent radiobiological and dosimetric data the quality factor for 3H has been suggested (QF = 2). Standards for oxide and gaseous 3H, reduced by a factor of 3-10, as compared with International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommendations, have been suggested. New standards, 2-30 times lower than those for 3H oxide, have been worked out for the other three classes of 3H compounds. A limit for removable surface contamination from nonvolatile forms of 3H has been proposed (LSC = 1 kBq cm-2).