Determination of uranium reference levels in the urine of Warsaw residents (Poland)

This paper presents the results of determination of activity concentration of 238U and 234U in urine samples of people living in Warsaw (capital of Poland) to evaluate background level of these radionuclides excretion rate (mBq day-1). The samples were taken from women and men in age between 3 and 97 years. The results obtained for 238U daily excretion rate were in range 0.44-30.54 mBq day-1 and for 234U in range 0.33-28.61 mBq day-1. 70 % results were below 6 mBq day-1 upper limit recommended by ICRP for non-exposed people (ICRP, ICRP publications No. 23, report of the task group on reference man, 1975). The results are discussed and some conclusions based upon average values were drawn. (author)