ELIMINATION OF RADON FROM THE BODY

Citation
Jh. Harley et al., ELIMINATION OF RADON FROM THE BODY, Environment international, 20(5), 1994, pp. 573-584
Citations number
NO
Categorie Soggetti
Environmental Sciences
Journal title
ISSN journal
01604120
Volume
20
Issue
5
Year of publication
1994
Pages
573 - 584
Database
ISI
SICI code
0160-4120(1994)20:5<573:EORFTB>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
A series of experiments were run on the retention of inhaled radon. Th e radon absorbed by the body is present in a multiphase system, showin g five distinct elimination coefficients. After high-level radon expos ure for a normal working day, an appreciable breath radon output is fo und 72 h after removal from exposure. This is a practical consideratio n in breath radon sampling, and it must be realized that the breath me asurement 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 b ody radium analyses on unexposed persons. The results of our breath me asurements averaged 6x10(-9) g on ten unexposed individuals. It is app arent that the breath radon measurement is not capable of measuring no rmal body radium, due both to the small quantity present, and to the i nterference of radon absorbed by the body from the normal environment.