RADIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF URINE, TEETH AND MILK
URINE BIOASSAY SAMPLE COLLECTION AND RECEIVING
Radiochemical analyses of urine are used to determine the excretion rates
of radionuclides from individuals living in areas affected by the Pacific
Testing Programs.
1.
The results of these analyses will be used to:
estimate body burdens of 905, 2395y, 2405, and other radionuclides
which cannot be determined with in vivo counting techniques,
provide independent estimates of body burdens of gamma emitters
(such as 137 Cs) which can be determined by in vivo counting,
provide an indication of the extent to which restrictions on certain
lecal food items are being followed.
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Sample Types
Three types of urine samples used in the bioassay program are:
I.
single-void "grab sample".
This is the least desirable type, but it is
also the easiest type to collect.
Grab samples are useful for esti-
mates of Sr and Cs excretion rates, but 1 Liter samples are definitely
preferred.
Laboratory Limits of detection are, in part, a function of
sample volume (total activity per sample).
A practical minimum sample
volume is 200 ml and attempts should be made to collect more than one
voiding if possible,
one liter urine sample.
This is the preferred type of sample for rou~
tine urine bioassay (except for alpha-emitters).
The |! liter sample
i™
volume is required for Sr and Cs radioassay and analytical results can