This standard specifies:

• Conditions requiring a tritium internal dosimetry program;

• Choice of individuals required to participate in the program;

• Bioassay frequency;

• Analytical methods for determining tritium concentrations in biological samples;

• Methods for estimating committed effective dose from intakes of tritiated water, tritium gas, organic compounds of tritium, or metal tritides;

• Required sensitivity and accuracy for bioassay procedures;

• Recommended actions based upon estimated committed effective doses; and

• Recommended recording levels. This standard does not specify:

• Appropriate radiation safety procedures and containment for working with tritium;

• Appropriate methods for air and surface monitoring of tritium work areas; or

• Interpretation of air and surface monitoring data.

While it is understood that personal air sampling is sometimes used for monitoring of tritium, sample media are less efficient for tritiated water, gaseous tritium, and organically bound tritium than for particulate samples and analysis of those samples may be nontrivial. As such, this standard focuses on the typical practice of bioassay and does not further discuss personal air sampling.

Purpose

This standard defines the minimum requirements for an internal dosimetry program used to monitor individuals who may be occupationally exposed to tritium or tritium labeled compounds.