US EPA

4259530 

Journal Article 

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

Leggett, RW; Meck, R 

2018 

Yes 

Journal of Radiological Protection
ISSN: 0952-4746
EISSN: 1361-6498 

38 

2 

632-649 

English 

29424357 

10.1088/1361-6498/aaae1f 

WOS:000428913900006 

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 234U, 235U, and 238U 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.