Lung-clearance classifications for 238U, 232Th, 230Th, 228Th, 226Ra, 210Pb and 210Po in respirable coal fly ash were estimated for use with the lung clearance model proposed by the ICRP Task Group on Lung Dynamics. Estimates were based on measurements of the dissolution rates for these radionuclides from sized fly-ash samples into simulated lung fluid at 37 degrees C. The estimates were expressed in the classification terms of the model, i.e. D, W and Y, indicating lung clearance half-times of 0-10 days, 11-100 days, and more than 100 days, respectively. Ash from eastern bituminous coal, western bituminous coal and mid-western bituminous coal was examined. Both Class-D and Class-Y components of 238U were found in all samples, whereas all the other radionuclides dissolved very slowly and were classified 100% Class Y. The fraction of 238U in Class D increased with decreasing particle size and increased linearly from 0.02 to 0.17 as the concentration of U in the volatile-metal portion of the samples increased. This relationship suggests that a major fraction of the U in coal fly ash may be shielded from exposure to simulated lung fluid by more-abundant metals deposited on the outer surface of fly ash during coal combustion.

Emanation coefficients for 222Rn in sized samples of dry coal fly ash were evaluated as a function of source and particle size using a modification of the "sealed-can, gamma-only" technique. The emanation coefficient is defined as the fraction of Rn atoms that escape the solid particles of a source. Diffusible Rn was separated from nondiffusible Rn by adsorption on charcoal, and each was measured independently by gamma-ray spectrometry of the Rn daughter, 214Bi. Samples of ash from eastern bituminous coal, western bituminous coal and mid-western bituminous coal with aerodynamic equivalent diameters of less than 15 micron were examined, and the measured emanation coefficients ranged from 0.098 down to 0.007. These values were dependent on both the size and source of the fly ash. The emanation coefficients and the specific activities generally decreased monotonically with increasing aerodynamic equivalent diameter. For unfractionated standard fly ash, SRM 1633a, from the U.S. National Bureau of Standards, the emanation coefficient for 222Rn was found to be 0.018. The results suggest that only a small fraction of the Rn in lung-deposited fly ash will be removed by exhalation.