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Thorium isotopes in autopsy samples from thorium workers

Journal Article · · Health Physics
Concentrations of {sup 232}Th and activity ratios of {sup 228}Th to {sup 232}Th and {sup 230}Th to {sup 232}Th were determined in autopsy samples from five former employees of a thorium refinery. The ranges of {sup 232}Th activity concentrations (mBq per gram of wet tissue) were 0.17--94 in lungs, 3.9--1,210 in pulmonary lymph nodes, 0.14--1.19 in bones, 0.015--0.68 in liver, 0.97--5.8 in spleen, and 0.009--0.068 in kidneys. These concentrations are 10 to 1,000 times greater than have been reported for persons not occupationally exposed to thorium. In most of the samples, the ratios of {sup 228}Th to {sup 232}Th and {sup 232}Th to {sup 232}Th activity at death of the subject were 0.2--0.4 and 0.1--0.2, respectively. {sup 228}Th to {sup 228}Ra activity ratios ({+-} standard errors) of 0.86 {+-} 0.11 in lungs and 1.18 {+-} 0.13 in lymph nodes of one subject were obtained by calculation from ratios of {sup 228}Th to {sup 232}Th.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission; US Department of Energy
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
20006133
Journal Information:
Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 78; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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