Biological Hazards and Toxicity of Radioactive Isotopes

Brues, Austin M.

doi:10.1172/jci102196

Cited by 56 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The metabolism and skeletal uptake of radiostrontium were extensively studied in various species of animals: the isotope was fed or administered parenterally to young, adult and pregnant animals (12)(13)(14)(15), the effect of various diets was investi- gated upon the metabolism of radioactive strontium (12,14,15) and the uptake in various parts of the skeleton was studied by radio-assay and autoradiographic techniques (12,16,17). Acute and chronic toxicity of radiostrontium were investigated (18)(19)(20)(21). The metabolism and skeletal uptake of radioactive calcium and strontium were compared (16,(22)(23)(24) and the transport of these isotopes from maternal blood into the fetus was described (15,22,23).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strontium85 and Calcium45 Metabolism in Man 12

Spencer¹,

László²

1957

J. Clin. Invest.

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Preliminary reports were recently published from this laboratory on the metabolism of intravenously administered radiostrontium and on the effect of calcium upon strontium excretion in man (1, 2). The absorption, the digestive juice excretion and tissue retention have been studied following the oral and intravenous administration of Sr85. Furthermore, the metabolism of orally administered radiostrontium has been compared with that of radiocalcium in the same patients (3,4). These data form the basis of this communication. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe six patients listed in Table I Sr' is a carrier-free isotope5 produced by bombardment of rubidium!. It is a pure 'y-emitter, its energy is 0.51 mev. and its half-life is 65 days. The radioactivity of duplicate samples of plasma, urine and stool was measured in a well-type scintillation counter. The stability of the counting arrangement was checked daily against a uranium standard. The statistical counting error varied: in the initial phases of the experiment sufficient counts were taken to keep the probable error within 2 per cent. In later phases, counting rates were lower, and it was not feasible to maintain this precision, so that counting errors as high as 5 per cent were incurred. Standards were prepared for each patient at the time of administration of the isotope by delivering the same dose into a volumetric flask; appropriate dilutions were then prepared for counting. The standards were counted along with each set of experimental samples, thereby correcting for the decay of the isotope.The radioactivity was determined on 2 to 5 ml. of plasma obtained 5, 15 and 30 minutes and 1, 4, 8 and 24 hours after the ingestion or injection of the isotope. Thereafter, plasma was obtained every morning in the post-absorptive state during the first week of each study and 2 to 3 times per week thereafter. The plasma radioactivity was calculated for the total plasma volume which was determined for each patient using T-1824 dye (6). The urinary output was separated on the day of the isotope administration in fractions at 1, 4, 8 and 24 hours. On the subsequent days, the 24-hour urine output was collected. Aliquots of 2 to 5 ml. of urine were used for radio-assays. Each stool specimen was collected separately, water was added to obtain a homogeneous mixture in a Waring blendor. The weight of the homogenate was determined and aliquots of 4 to 5 gm. were assayed in the scintillation counter. Multiple analyses of such aliquots indicated homogeneous distribution of the isotope. Since the radioactivity of the stool specimens was high after the ingestion of the tracer, these specimens were counted in a bismuth cathode y-counter. The radioactivity was determined on the total stool homogenate and on several water rinses of the Waring blendor using Marinelli beakers.Two patients (2 and 6, Table I) also received an oral tracer of Ca prior to the administration of oral Sr'.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strontium85 and Calcium45 Metabolism in Man 12

Spencer¹,

László²

1957

J. Clin. Invest.

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“…From analogy with the other species, a third component (representing a small fraction of the dose) to the rate equation for man may be expected at a later time. The biological half-time of the major component of the cesium retention function is 143 days, and the corresponding half-time for potassium retention has been estimated as about40 …”

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confidence: 99%

Cs137 Biospheric Contamination from Nuclear Weapons Tests

Wh¹,

Ec²

1959

Health Physics

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Weapons tests to date (end of 1957) have produced about 6 and 11 Mc of SrYo and Cs137, respectively, of which about 1.9 and 3.4 Mc have been deposited as long-range fallout. Average surface deposition levels of SrSo and CsI3' in the north temperate population belt may be about 20 and 36 mc/mile2, respectively, and the stratospheric reservoir may contain an additional 2.3 Xlc of Sr90 and 4.2 Mc of Cs13'.Cesium-I37 contamination of the atmosphere and of drinking water, assuming they are in equilibrium with the rate of stratospheric fallout, does not appear to be a serious potential hazard to man's hcalth even though weapons tests continue indefinitely at the past rate.

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“…In contrast, the effective dose in the adult was unrelated to survival. In part these differences may relate to hepatic detoxification of colchicine (10). The liver of the neonatal rat is rather immature and therefore one might anticipate a reduced capacity for detoxification and biliary excretion.…”

Section: Hr I T Is Of Interest Thatmentioning

confidence: 99%