John H. Harley

Radium-226 in Human Diet and Bone

The mean radium-226 content of samples of vertebrae from New York City and San Francisco is 0.032 and 0.026 picocuries of radium-226 per gram of calcium, respectively. The ratio of these two mean values is associated with a similar ratio of radium-226 to calcium found in the diet at the two locations. A plot of the radium-226 content of bone as a function of age indicates that there is no marked difference in levels of bone radium with age.

Elimination of radon from the body

A series of experiments were run on the retention of inhaled radon. The radon absorbed by the body is present in a multiphase system, showing five distinct elimination coefficients. After high-level radon exposure for a normal working day, an appreciable breath radon output is found 72 h after removal from exposure. This is a practical consideration in breath radon sampling, and it must be realized that the breath measurement may indicate a higher body radium content than that actually present. Another valuable result is that the radon retention figures allow us to reconcile the results of breath radon analyses and total body radium analyses on unexposed persons. The results of our breath measurements averaged 6[times]10[sup [minus]9] g on ten unexposed individuals. It is apparent that the breath radon measurement is not capable of measuring normal body radium, due both to the small quantity present, and to the interference of radon absorbed by the body from the normal environment. 2 refs., 3 figs., 4 tab.

The determination of radium-226 in human bone

A simple procedure is described for preparing 10-g samples of bone ash for measurement of Ra/sup 226/ by the Rn/sup 222/ emandation technique. In this case, the radon is measured in 2-liter ion chambers, but scintillation chambers could be used. Coprecipitation of Ra/sup 226/ with BaSO/sub 4/ gives separation from bulk constituents, and the final precipitate is soluble in a few ml of 30% EDTA. Chemical recovery is measured with Ba/sup 133/ tracer. (auth)

Storage of Standardized Radioactive Solutions

THERE is considerable interest in the storage of radionuclide solutions in polythene bottles. Keith, in a recent communication1, indicated the losses of solvent through the walls of polythene ampoules. The experience of our laboratory is comparable in this respect, but it might be noted that the rate of loss was extremely high from concentrated hydrochloric acid solutions where apparently gaseous hydrochloric acid was being transferred through the walls. We believe that the following information on other types of losses will be of interest.

Investigation of the Potential Hazard in Releasing Scrap Steel Contaminated with Uranium to Commercial Channels

Tests were conducted on a laboratory and semi-plant scale to determine the effect of permitting scrap grossly contaminated with uranium to be used in steel manufacture. It was found the most of the uranium is removed with the slag. Steel made with this scrap would have a uranium constituent so little above that made with uncontaminated scrap as to be hardly significant. The slag itself would not present any hazard in handling or normal use. It is recommended, therefore, that in the future steel with only surface uranium contamination be released through normal scrap channels.

MEASURING AND MONITORING FALLOUT RADIOACTIVITY

A general description of the measurements and equipment required for estimating hazard to man from radioactive fallout is presented. Emphasis is placed on the peacetime situation, but a few points are made regarding nuclear warfare. In general, the high levels of radioactivity resulting from a nuclear war would allow hazard assessment with simple instruments, while the low levels existing in peacetime require more complex instrumentation and detailed measurements.