title: Carbon-14 bioassay for decommissioning of Hanford reactors.
abstract: The production reactors at the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site used large graphite piles as the moderator. As part of long-term decommissioning plans, the potential need for ¹⁴C radiobioassay of workers was identified. Technical issues associated with ¹⁴C bioassay and worker monitoring were investigated, including anticipated graphite characterization, potential intake scenarios, and the bioassay capabilities that may be required to support the decommissioning of the graphite piles. A combination of urine and feces sampling would likely be required for the absorption type S ¹⁴C anticipated to be encountered. However, the concentrations in the graphite piles appear to be sufficiently low that dosimetrically significant intakes of ¹⁴C are not credible, thus rendering moot the need for such bioassay.
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA. gene.carbaugh@pnl.gov
authors.forename: Eugene H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Carbaugh
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D011874:Radiometry
chemical_list: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes