Theoretical radiation dose to the human system from assimilated tritium.

Abstract

Abstract A theoretical model for tritium behavior in man shows that, for tritium uptake, the radiation energy deposition per unit weight of body hydrogen is essentially invariant for all components of the human system. The model is based on the assumption that tritium enters the body in a manner typical of hydrogen. If assimilated tritium behaves the same as ordinary hydrogen, the amount of tritium passing through any body subsystem varies directly with the hydrogen turnover rate, while the residence time varies inversely with turnover rate. The specific energy deposition in any subsystem is, therefore, the same as that in any other subsystem for tritium assimilated in a manner typical of hydrogen. Pathway effects associated with preferential entry of tritium in atypical hydrogen streams can be significant. An extension of the base model also illustrates that assimilated tritium which becomes permanently bound will not contribute significantly to the total dose. The analysis of a previously reported experiment is shown to conform with the predictions of the theoretical model.