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Re: Uranium Uptake Above 10 CFR 20 Limit
I seem unable to communicate, in my usual friendly manner, that my real concern
is not whether there was an overexposure to the lung or kidneys. I'll concede
that there may not be an overexposure - I don't really care. Let's call it an
"unplanned exposure."
My concern about this unplanned exposure is that the ostensible cause was a loose
fitting respirator. Why was the licensee relying on respirators to control
internal exposure in a situation where it seems that engineering controls, i.e.
containment or ventilation, seem more appropriate? Whats "the rest of the
story."
The opinions expressed are strictly mine.
It's not about dose, its about trust. (Once more, with feeling.)
Bill Lipton
liptonw@dteenergy.com
brackett@bright.net wrote:
> This is where those two orders of magnitude difference in exretion
> fractions make a difference. Because the fraction entering the transfer
> compartment (and thus the kidneys) from the lungs is so small for the more
> insoluble forms, the radiation dose to the lungs is the limiting value.
>
> As was noted in a previous post, it may be that the particular form inhaled
> in this case was not U3O8. The notice didn't contain the specifics of
> their assumptions.
>
> Liz
>
> At 07:05 AM 8/16/2000 -0500, you wrote:
> >Regardless of the sophistry you employ, the fact is that uranium is a
> >nephrotoxin; so its concentration in the urine is the key indicator of
> potential
> >hazard, regardless of the nominal chemical form. If urinalysis indicates an
> >uptake above the mass limit, this must be taken seriously.
> >
> >The licensee did the right thing by admitting the problem, rather than
> going into
> >denial with specious legalistic arguments.
> >
>
> ******************************
> Elizabeth M. Brackett, CHP
> Sr. Health Physicist
> MJW Corporation, Inc.
> (330) 644-3757
> mailto:brackett@bright.net
> ******************************
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