[en] ³²P is preferentially eliminated from the body in urine and is estimated by in situ precipitation of ammonium molybdophosphate (AMP) in the urine followed by gross beta counting. The amount of AMP formed depends on the amount of stable phosphorus (P) present in the urine. Hence, the present study was undertaken to estimate daily urinary excretion of P by the spectrophotometry method. P forms a colorless complex (phosphomolybdate) with molybdic acid, which on reduction produces deep-blue-colored complex called molybdenum blue. The intensity of this blue color is directly proportional to the amount of P present in the sample. 24 h urine samples collected from radiation workers were analyzed for stable P, and its range was observed to be between 0.4 and 1.4 g/day. This information was valuable in finalizing volume of the urine sample required for analysis of ³²P in bioassay sample by gross beta counting technique. (author)

[en] Following internal contamination of "3"2P, it is preferentially eliminated from the body in urine. It is estimated by in-situ precipitation of ammonium molybdo-phosphate (AMP) in urine followed by gross beta counting. The amount of AMP formed in-situ depends on the amount of stable phosphorous (P) present in the urine and hence, it was essential to generate information regarding urinary excretion of stable P. If amount of P excreted is significant then the amount of AMP formed would correspondingly increase leading to absorption of some of the β particles. The present study was taken up for the estimation of daily urinary excretion of P using the phospho-molybdate spectrophotometry method. Few urine samples received from radiation workers were analyzed and based on the observed range of stable P in urine; volume of sample required for "3"2P estimation was finalized

[en] Uranium enters the human body either by inhalation, ingestion or injection. Inhaled, ingested or embedded uranium reach the blood after solubilizing either at the site of entry, or at some other location in the body. Uranium entering the body by inhalation enters the blood and reaches the kidneys. Kidneys then efficiently excrete in urine ~70-80% of the uranium solubilized in blood, over a period of approximately three days. Thus, urine can be considered as the best body fluid for the rapid and sensitive detection of uranium which also aids in quantitative measurement of exposure to inhaled or injected uranium following incidental / routine exposures. The background rate of urinary excretion for uranium is ~12.5 ng/L. It is very essential to assess intake of U (nat.) handled by radiation workers working in various nuclear facilities above the background urinary excretion level. Uranium in urine is most commonly measured by alpha spectrometry; however this technique is time consuming. Therefore, a procedure for estimation of uranium in urine by light-emitting-diode (LED) fluorimetry was standardized and the results were compared with those obtained by alpha spectrometry