Observation of Biological Half-Life of Tritium

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Abstract
Over the past 10 years 309,000 urine samples have been radioassayed for tritium in SRP's health physics program. Most of these were analyzed using a liquid scintillation counting technique developed at SRP. In 310 cases the tritium concentration in urine was at least 20 μc/l. The biological half life values for these cases ranged from 4 to 18 days, with an average of 9.5 ± 4.1 days (90 per cent confidence level). Factors which influence biological half life, such as outdoor temperatures, amount of tritium assimilated, and age of employee were studied. During the warmer months, the average half life was observed to be lower; this was attributed to increased water intake. Data showed no correlation between the amount assimilated and biological half life. A trend toward a shorter half life was observed for increasing age.

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