Uranium measurements in urine

This paper describes the purpose of the uranium in urine programs presently instituted at Canadian uranium mills. The role and responsibility of the Atomic Energy Control Board, the regulatory authority, is explained. A description of the current sampling strategy at each of the five operating mills is provided. The sampling strategy description includes the job-related sampling of mill workers, the frequency of sampling, the time of voiding and the administrative controls used to investigate high results. At each uranium mill the annual urine results for mill operators and mine maintenance personnel during the years 1982 and 1983 are reviewed. It is shown that the majority of the urine results are below the 15 μg/L value. The statistical test, Ridit Analysis is performed to determine whether a significant difference between the 1982 and 1983 workers' urine results at each mine. The Ridit statistic provides a measure of odds of receiving a higher result in 1983 when compared to 1982. Linear and convilinear regression techniques are used to show the relationship between frequency of the year's urine results for the two job occupations examined. Both Ridit Analysis and the regression techniques are suitable means of comparing urine data for trend analysis