Evaluation of Residual Radioactivity in Human Tissues Associated with Weapons Testing at the Nevada Test Site
Abstract
Residual radioactivity consisting of 23 Pu were measured by radio- chemistry and alpha spectrometry in samples of bone and soft tissues from 100 autopsies of surgeries from northern and southwestern Utah and from control areas in Colorado and Pennsylvania. Based upon the isotopic ratio 240 pu/239 Pu attributable to atmospheric weapons tests at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). In addition, 110 thyroid tissue samples obtained from tissue blocks made at autopsy of veterans dying at the VA hospital in Salt Lake City in the 1940's and 1950's were measured for 129 I (half life 16 million year) and 127 I (stable) by neutron activation. The results were analyzed by year of death, by periods before and during atmospheric nuclear weapons testing at the NTS and by origin of usual residence. A model was developed to relate thyroid dose from 131 I to the measured 124/127 I ratios, and thyroid dose estimates were made based upon the measured ratios.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA259614
Entities
People
- Anselmo S. Paschoa
- Marvin L. Rallison
- Mcdonald E. Wrenn
- Narayani P. Singh
Organizations
- University of Utah