In 1968, the National Plutonium Registry, a predecessor of the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries (USTUR), was established at the Hanford site in Washington state by the US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). Since 1992, Washington State University has been operating the USTUR with grant support from Department of Energy (DOE).
The USTUR studies the biokinetics (deposition, translocation, retention, and excretion) and internal dosimetry of actinides (uranium, plutonium, and americium) in occupationally-exposed individuals who have voluntarily donated portions of their bodies, or their whole bodies, for scientific use posthumously.
The USTUR is the only program worldwide that can comprehensively study biokinetics and dosimetry of internally deposited actinides. The USTUR serves as a source for both scientific research and public information regarding radiobiology, biokinetics and dosimetry of the actinide elements in humans.
The USTUR is a major component of DOE’s long-standing programs to ensure that radiological protection standards for occupational exposures are protective of worker health. The USTUR goals are:
- Follow up occupationally-exposed individuals (volunteer Registrants) by studying the biokinetics (deposition, translocation, retention, and excretion) and tissue dosimetry of uranium and transuranium elements, such as plutonium, americium, curium, and neptunium.
- Obtain, analyze, preserve, and make available for future research, materials from individuals who had documented intakes of uranium and transuranium elements.
- Apply USTUR data to refine dose assessment methods in support of reliable epidemiological studies, radiation risk assessment, and regulatory standards for radiological protection of workers and general public.
The Washington State University USTUR site is available here: https://ustur.wsu.edu
This program’s important work is only possible due to the generosity and selflessness of the USTUR registrants.