STRONTIUM-89 AND STRONTIUM-90 LEVELS IN BREAST MILK AND IN MINERAL- SUPPLEMENT PREPARATIONS

Journal Article · Sat Jan 19 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Canadian Medical Association Journal (Canada)

OSTI ID:4727452

Jarvis, A A; Brown, J R; Tiefenbach, B

Samples of human milk obtained before and after the resumption of nuclear weapons testing in 1961 were analyzed for Sr/sup 90/, Sr/sup 90/, and strontium units (S.U.) ( C Sr/g Ca) content. The average values of S.U./ sup 90/ were 1.78 in human milk. The Sr/sup 90/ activity from June to October 1961 was 0.366 C/l milk, and the mean S.U./sup 90/ level was 1.40. From November 1961 to February 1962 the values were 0.599 C/1 and 2.29. Sr/ sup 89/ was not detectable in the milk until November 1961; the average concentration from November 1961 to February 1962 was 7.87 C/l and the levels of S.U./sup 89/ averaged 31.74. The average S.U./sup 90/ levels in cows' milk in Canada and the United States were almost 5 times those found in human milk. In addition, Sr/sup 89/ (as an index of fresh fallout) was already measurable in cows' milk in September; in human milk, it became detectable only in the November 1961 samples, indicating a 2-month lag period. The assayed mineral-supplement products, given to pregnant and lactating women, were generally low in S.U./sup 90/ levels. The Ca, Sr/sup 90/, and S.U./sup 90/ values found in the mineral-supplement products are given. The average S.U./sup 90/ value was 1.59, which is 450 deg C in a 1/5 the levels reported for cows' milk. Of the 21 samples tested, only 3 samples had S.U./sup 90/ levels greater than 2, and only 1 sample approached the average S.U./sup 90/ value of 7.82 measured in cows' milk in Canada. It was concluded that the human female, on a dairy food diet, should secrete milk containing st run. Concent 1/10 of the S.U /sup 90/ levels round in cows' milk. It is assumed that the average dietary level of S.U./sup 90/ during the period tested was st run. Concent 11 to 13 S.U./sup 90/. The mean Sr/sup 90//Ca ratio of 178 found in human milk, therefore, represents an observed ratio milk-diet ratio of st run. Concent 0.14 to 0.16. (TCO)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Toronto
• NSA Number: NSA-17-021943
• OSTI ID: 4727452
• Journal Information: Canadian Medical Association Journal (Canada), Journal Name: Canadian Medical Association Journal (Canada) Vol. Vol: 88; ISSN CMAJA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CALCIUM
CATTLE
CONTAMINATION
DETECTION
DIET
FALLOUT
FOOD
HEALTH AND SAFETY
MAN
MEASURED VALUES
MILK
MPC
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PREGNANCY
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIOACTIVITY
SAFETY
SAMPLING
SEX
STANDARDS
STRONTIUM 89
STRONTIUM 90