Answer to Question #12529 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Basics - Doses and Dose Calculations

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q

What is the average or normal volume of urine output per day for an adult male? I need to use this value to calculate an internal dose. I am currently using 1,400 ml day-1 for Standard Man. My reference is International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 23.

A
The value of 1,400 ml day-1 that you cite was the earlier recommendation of ICRP Publication 23, published in 1975. In 2002 the ICRP issued Publication 89, Basic Anatomical and Physiological Data for Use in Radiological Protection: Reference Values. This publication updates some of the ICRP Publication 23 values. For the reference adult male, the urinary excretion rate has been increased to 1,600 ml day-1. The below table is included for completeness and has been extracted directly from the ICRP Publication 89.

Reference values for daily urinary excretion

Age Excretion (mL day-1)
Male Female
Newborn 300 300
1 year 400 400
5 years 500 500
10 years 700 700
15 years 1,200 1,200
Adult 1,600 1,200

I hope this satisfies your needs.

George Chabot, PhD

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