Health Status and Body Radioactivity of Former Thorium Workers

摘要

This is a progress report of a study of the health effects of industrial exposure to thorium. The objectives of the study are: (1) to assess possible health effects of employment in the thorium milling industry by comparison of mortality and morbidity characteristics of former thorium workers with those of suitable general populations; (2) to examine diseases outcomes by estimated exposure levels of thorium and thoron daughter products for possible radiation-related effects; and (3) to determine the body distribution of inhaled thorium (and daughters) and rare earths in humans by radioactivity measurements in vivo and by analysis of autopsy samples. The principal endpoints for investigation are respiratory diseases and cancers of lung, liver, bone, and bone marrow.