Influence of Atmospheric Emission from Coal Fuel Cycle on the Levels of Natural Radionuclides and Heavy Metals in the Population. Final Report for the Period 10 July 1980-31 October 1982

摘要

From the determination of Ra, Pb, Zn and Cd concentrations in air and various human tissues of inhabitants exposed to large industrial emissions as well as of those of other regions it could be seen that geographical distribution of these elements is rather related to local natural background factors than to industrial activity in the region. The concentrations of exp 226 Ra and Pb increased during the last century in precipitations in Southern Poland, but in the same time they decreased dramatically in the bones of the Polish population. The contemporary Polish bones contain about 10 times less Pb and 2 times less exp 226 Ra than 11th to 19th century Polish bones and 18th century Peruvian bones. The decrease of exp 226 Ra content probably results from the introduction of drinking-water treatment systems which remove majority of exp 226 Ra and from decrease in consumption of cereals, which are principal sources of exp 226 Ra intake in the diet. (Atomindex citation 14:806273)