Excretion of 210Po in urine

Aim of the study

The aim of the preliminary study is to determine the excretion rates of ²¹⁰Po in urine of special population groups receiving more ²¹⁰Po from the diet than the Finnish population in general. The diets of these special population groups include freshwater fish, reindeer meat or drinking water with high concentrations of ²¹⁰Po. In addition, tobacco contains ²¹⁰Po and may cause extra doses to smokers. The urine concentrations are used to assess internal doses from the intake of ²¹⁰Po via foodstuffs or tobacco.

Implementation

The first population group of about ten persons eating a lot of freshwater fish has been formed from the members of the group from Central Finland who have taken part in the study “¹³⁷Cs content and internal radiation doses of special population groups”. The diet of these people has been followed over ten years. In the second group there are reindeer herders from Northern Finland who consume more reindeer meat than the Finnish population in general. The third study group consist of about ten persons who use household water with high concentrations of ²¹⁰Po. In addition, a reference group is formed from the staff of STUK.

Each participant collects a 24-hour urine sample and answers to a questionnaire made to collect information on the usage of the household water and foodstuffs as well as smoking habits. The concentrations of ²¹⁰Po in the food products (fish, reindeer meat, drinking water) consumed by the study populations are also determined.

Dissemination and exploitation of the results

The results are used to assess the exposure of the special dietary groups to ²¹⁰Po. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Collaborators

None outside STUK

Timetable

2007–2009

Responsible scientist

Maarit Muikku

Page updated 17/05/2009