STRONTIUM-90 IN CHILDREN'S BONES
Measurements of Sr/sup 90/ levels in Great Britain are reviewed and their significance to public health commented upon. Latest reports show that the Sr unit (S.U.) values in bone for 1961 were the same as for 1960 at all age groups from 4--5 years upwards. For younger children and stillborn the 1961, S.U. values were less than for 1960 by about one-fourth. Generally the Sr changes are what would be expected; the amounts of Sr/sup 90/ in milk and food were less in 1961 than 1960 because the last previous atmospheric tests of high- yield atomic weapons were in 1958. In infants and small children some or much of the Sr built into the skeleton during one year is removed during the next year and the newly formed bone salt will contain a smallcr proportion of Sr/sup 90/ than before if the levels of intake are less. It is pointed out that fallout may be regarded as a large-scale tracer experiment in man just as, from a meteorological point of view, measurements of atmospheric concentrations of radioactive materials at different heights and distances and times after test explosions have provided new information about large-scale movements of the atmosphere. Monitoring of bone continues to provide direct evidence for the degree of contamination of the body by Sr/sup 90/, and can be correlated with past measurements of fallout levels im air, rain, milk, and foodstuffs. Recently, large-scale atmospheric nuclear explosions have occurred, and though these may have been cleaner than formerly, it must be expected that Sr/sup 90/ levels in milk and other foodstuffs will rise during the spring and summer of 1963, followed by increases in levels in bone, at least in adults. In 1960 and 1961 the mean level in adults was near 0.3 S.U. The highest mean values in any age group after the large-scale tests in 1958 were 4.2--4.3 S.U. in 6-- 12-month- old and 1--2-year-old children in 1959. These are 1/500 the max permissible level for adult occupational workers, a level which, if sustained for the whole of a working lifetime, carries in the light of present knowledge a negligible probability of severe somatic or genetic injuries. (BBB)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-005151
- OSTI ID:
- 4159808
- Journal Information:
- Brit. Med. J., Journal Name: Brit. Med. J. Vol. Vol: 1
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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