RADIOACTIVITY IN TOTAL DIET
Total diet samples collected in 1961 from 10 to 25 major cities were analyzed for radionuclides arising from nuclear debris (Sr/sup 90/, Cs.syo 137/, Ce/sup 144/, Pu/sup 239/, Zn/sup 65/), for natu ral radioactivity (Ra/sup 226/, Pb/sup 210/, K/sup 40/), and for the stable nuclides of Ca and K. The variability arising from collection of samples was not greater than that due to analytical procedures. Levels of Sr/sup 90/ in the total diet ranged from 2 to 15 mu mu c/gm of Ca. Vaules in the West, with the exception of the Far Northwest,-tended to be lower, but no marked differences were observed among other geographical regions. The Sr/sup 90//gm Ca values for adult diets, presumably because of their lower milk content, were higher than for infant and teenage diets. The values of Sr/sup 90//gm of Ca for the total diet were about 1.6 times those for the milk contained in the diet. It was calculated that 54% of the total Sr/sup 90/ intake came from dairy products, on the assumption that 75% of the Ca originated from this source. The daily intake of Ra/sup 226/ was estimated to be about 2 mu mu c in teenage and adult diets, and about 1 mu mu c in infant diets. Average daily intakes of the various radionuclides expressed in micromicrocuries, were as follows; K/sup 409/, 4,000; Cs/sup 137/, 50; Sr/sup 90/, 10; , 2; Pu/sub 239/, 0.1. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Consumers Union of U.S., Inc., Mount Vernon, N.Y.; Cornell Univ., Ithaca, N.Y.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-007767
- OSTI ID:
- 4744560
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Nutrition (U.S.), Journal Name: Journal of Nutrition (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 78; ISSN JONUA
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
STRONTIUM-90 PLASMA LEVELS AND EXCRETIONS IN YOUNG ADULTS ON A LOW CALCIUM DIET
NUTRITION IN RELATION TO PROBLEMS OF RADIOACTIVITY