Determination of tritium concentrations in urine samples from people living in Giresun and Trabzon provinces

With this study, firstly preliminary information was given to people living in Giresun and Trabzon city centers and randomly determined by TUIK, and their more personal consents were obtained. Subsequently, tritium concentrations were measured in urine samples taken, thereby determining tritium levels in the bodies of people residing in the study area. It is aimed to examine the distribution of the determined levels according to the characteristics of the participant and the living environment and to calculate the annual effective dose rates by gender in the provinces studied. Of 204 volunteers aged between 18-65, 105 (51.5%) were female and 99 (48.5%) were male, with a mean age of 35.03 ± 10.74 years. The minimum measurable activity value (MDA) of the detection system used was determined as 2.59 Bq/L, and the tritium activity value of 40 (21.55%) urine samples was found below the MDA value. Average tritium activity concentrations in urine samples of participants living in Giresun and Trabzon provinces, respectively; 14.35±1.05 Bq/L and 14.19±1.02 Bq/L. More than two-thirds of the participants were found to have a high school or higher education level. The average life expectancy in the provinces studied was calculated as 25.55 years. In Giresun and Trabzon, the prevalence of hearing the word nuclear power plant is 89.2% and 90.2%, the prevalence of hearing the word radiation is 80.4% and 95.1%, and the prevalence of hearing the word tritium is between 17.6% and 17.6% indicated was determined. The annual effective dose rates of the participating women and men were calculated as 9.91 nSv and 11.30 nSv, respectively. It was determined that the calculated annual effective dose rates were considerably lower than the reference value recommended by the ICRP (International Committee on Radiation Protection).