Action levels for airborne uranium in the workplace: chemical and radiological assessments

A method is described for deriving two levels of action —an investigation level (IL) and an immediate
action level (IAL) —for different forms and mixtures of the natural uranium (U) isotopes 234 U, 235
U, and 238 U in air in the workplace. An IL indicates the need to confirm the validity of moderately
elevated measurements of airborne U and adequacy of confinement controls and determine whether work
limitations are appropriate. An IAL indicates that safeguards should be put into place immediately,
including removal of workers from further exposure until conditions are acceptable. Derivations of
ILs and IALs are based on latest radiation protection guidance, information on chemical toxicity of
U, and biokinetic models for U. An action level (IL or IAL) is the more restrictive of two derived
values, the action level based on U as a chemical hazard and the action level based on U as a
radiation hazard.

Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - March 27, 2018 Category: Physics Authors: R W Leggett and R A Meck Source Type: research