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Abstract: A survey is given of the main activities of the Belgoprocess Company, with special emphasis on safety precautions. The routine sampling program for internal contamination consists of urinary and faecal sampling, among others. Faecal samples sometimes reveal low contamination levels. This contamination can be considered as low-level, frequent, and intermittent. No distinct correlation is found with another control technique.A survey is given about uncertainties that might hamper a representative sampling and/or a correct interpretation of the obtained data. Reference is made to the dosimetric models regarding complexity and uncertainties.

Abstract: The activity of plutonium and americium has been measured in teeth from two persons involved in an incident 25 years ago at Eurochemic. Assuming that the alpha activity of the teeth is representative of the activity of the skeleton an estimate of the systemic body burden is given and compared to the value obtained from the late urinary excretion using the Leggett-Eckerman excretion model. The results are compared with some data from US Transuranium and Uranium Registries.

Abstract: The aim of the work is to describe briefly the methodology for establishing and operating an internal dosimetry program in a complex waste processing facility, with special emphasis to the complexity of activities and problems and to the uncertainties in attributing doses from bioassay data. The purpose is not to make a fundamental study of the dosimetric models as such, but to give the viewpoint of the practical health physicist who is confronted with interpretation problems as the consequence of an intake of radionuclides. Some model parameters are discussed in relation to acute or chronic intakes. A practical contamination case is elaborated.

Abstract: Radiocesium contamination of air, rain, grass, milk and humans in Belgium from the late 1950s to present was measured. The main sources of fallout were atmospheric nuclear weapons tests and the Chernobyl accident; in Belgium the average impact of the first on the human body burden was more than six times higher. The geographical distribution of radiocesium fallout in Belgium was surveyed by means of in-situ gammaspectrometry with HPGe detectors.