Plasma and Fusion Research

Volume 13, 1305076 (2018)

Letters

Expiratory Testing as a Simple and Effective Bioassay Method for Screening Workers for Tritium Exposure in Fusion Test Facilities
Naofumi AKATA1,2), Chie IWATA1), Hitoshi MIYAKE1) and Masahiro TANAKA1,2)
1)
National Institute for Fusion Science, Toki, Gifu 509-5292, Japan
2)
SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Toki, Gifu 509-5292, Japan
(Received 11 April 2018 / Accepted 7 May 2018 / Published 12 June 2018)

Abstract

This study evaluates expiratory testing as a simple bioassay method for estimating the effective dose equivalent for individuals working inside radiation control areas in a large helical device (LHD) building at the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS) in Toki City, Japan. The expiratory testing apparatus is configured according to similar devices reported previously. The core components of the apparatus include the sample collection device, a water bubbler column, exhalation airflow controls, and a solution injection component. Exhaled water vapor from individual test subjects is collected and tritium levels are measured using a liquid scintillation counter. Tritium radioactivity measurements are then compared to the effective dose according to evaluation criteria estimated using the effective dose equation for tritium.

Keywords

bioassay, tritium, effective dose, inhalation

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.13.1305076

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