In the nuclear fuel complex, magnesium diuranate is processed to produce UO(2) through different chemical and metallurgical processes. UO(2) powder is compacted to produce uranium pallets as fuel. International Commission on Radiological Protection has considered default particle size of 5-mum activity median aerodynamic diameter (AMAD) and 2.5 of geometric standard deviation (GSD) for working out dose coefficients. There is a likelihood of variation in the particle size during each stage of operation. The present study is undertaken to determine the prevailing uranium aerosol size distribution at every stage of operation using Anderson impactor with glass fibre filter paper as collection substrate. AMAD and respective GSD were determined. Aerosol size distribution was studied. Airborne uranium concentration was found to be higher for higher particle sizes in all areas. Average AMAD for different locations varied from 5.8 to 7.7 mum with GSD from 1.63 to 6.73 and the ratio of calculated ALI to standard varies from 1.13 to 1.55.

A study has been done to assess the uranium intake through drinking water. The area of study is twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, India. Uranium concentration in water samples was analysed by laser-induced fluorimetry. The associated age-dependent uranium intake was estimated by taking the prescribed water intake values. The concentration of uranium varies from below detectable level (minimum detectable level = 0.20 ± 0.02 μg l(-1)) to 2.50 ± 0.18 μg l(-1), with the geometric mean (GM) of 0.67 μg l(-1) in tap water, whereas in ground water, the range is 0.60 ± 0.05 to 82 ± 7.1 µg l(-1) with GM of 10.07 µg l(-1). The daily intake of uranium by drinking water pathway through tap water for various age groups is found to vary from 0.14 to 9.50 µg d(-1) with mean of 1.55 µg d(-1).

A study was done to evaluate the ingestion dose due to uranium in drinking water.The area of study is the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, India. The uranium concentration in water samples was analysed by laser-induced fluorimetry. The associated age-dependent radiation dose was estimated by taking the prescribed water intake values and dose conversion factors for different age groups. The concentration of uranium varies from below the detection limit (