Module 104 - Internal Dose Control - doe-hdbk-1113-98_reaffirm_2005

DOE-HDBK-1113-98

Module 104 Internal Dose Control

Lesson Plan

Instructor's Notes

Show OT-31

IV.

MODULE 104 - Internal Dose Control

Highlight the specific

Objectives

internal exposure hazards

and controls at your

EO6

Identify the modes of entry into the body for

facility.

uranium.

EO7

Describe the measures taken to control intakes

of uranium, including special radiological

surveys and techniques, instruments, and release

of materials.

Show OT-32

Internal Exposure to Uranium

As discussed in Module 101, the primary biological

hazard is the potential for uranium to be taken into the

body. This exposure may result in heavy metal

poisoning, including kidney damage (for acute

exposures), or an increased cancer risk (for chronic

exposures). Uranium may enter the body through

inhalation, ingestion, absorption through the skin, or

injection into the bloodstream, such as from

contamination of an open wound.

The most common route of entry is inhalation, but much

of the material inhaled does not stay in the lungs. The

lungs and related air passages constantly work to

remove all the dust we breathe, including dust that

contains uranium. The dust expelled from the lungs but

not exhaled is swallowed, so some of the inhaled

uranium ends up in the digestive tract.