Deliverables
The consortium collated and analysed information from the literature on experimental studies relating to the biokinetics of radioactive compounds. A wide range of radionuclides was covered, with emphasis on the actinides (e.g. uranium, plutonium), fission products (e.g. caesium, strontium) and activation products (e.g. cobalt).
The review of inhaled materials included derivation from the data of values of parameters describing absorption from the lungs to the blood, for use with the Human Respiratory Tract Model (HRTM) described in Publication 66 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Other reviews dealt with ingested materials, and the systemic behavior (including excretion) of radionuclides after entry into the blood by injection or after wound contamination. An existing electronic database (developed by members of the consortium during the Fourth Framework Programme) was enhanced and extended for use in this project. From reviews of the literature, a large amount of further data was entered in the database.
Innovative factors and benefits. The database is effectively an extensive annotated bibliography, but the novel electronic format facilitates extension, updating, distribution, and information retrieval. Using drop-down lists wherever possible for frequently used terms (elements, chemical forms, species, etc.) facilitates data entry. The information is automatically organized because it is entered in specific fields. The ability to hyperlink spreadsheets and documents provides additional flexibility. Information can be retrieved in various ways.
Searches can be carried out to find all experiments (and associated references) relating to a route of intake, for a given element and chemical form. Alternatively, a search can be made for all references involving a chosen author. Experiments linked to a selected reference, or references that refer to a selected experiment, can be listed. A web site was developed on which the database can be searched and information retrieved using a web browser via the Internet. This was not straightforward because of the complex structure of the database.
Current status. The database contains information on about 1900 experiments (936 inhalation, 514 ingestion and 438 injection), from about 700 references. There is information on 62 elements, although more than half relates to plutonium, uranium, cobalt, americium, strontium or neptunium. The database is now sufficiently comprehensive to be a useful resource. Nevertheless it is expected that members of the consortium and their colleagues will continue to update and extend it.
Potential end users and applications. It is considered that there are three main potential types of direct users of the database, who will all benefit from simple and rapid access to the existing information:
- Groups of experts involved in developing guidance or standards relating to exposure to radioactive materials, in particular, the Task Group on Internal Dosimetry (INDOS) of the ICRP. INDOS is currently working on a new set of documents 'Occupational Intakes of Radionuclides: Dose Assessment and Monitoring ', for publication following the new recommendations to be issued by ICRP in the near future. Development of these documents requires comprehensive reviews of the literature relating to radionuclide biokinetics for every element having isotopes of importance for worker exposure.
- Scientists involved in research on radionuclide biokinetics. It will facilitate the design of further experiments, and avoid unnecessary repetition.
- Health physicists who need to assess the consequences of accidental intakes of radioactive materials. It can provide simple, rapid and comprehensive access to available information.
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