particle burdens of only a few picocuries of 21055 in the lnng (14) and similar total alpha activity per 100 grams of arterial wail tissue (41-43) By comparison, plutonium workers exhibit plutonium organ burdens ranging from a few picocuries to a few amanocurics or nore (4748) | And although there has been no epidemiological study uf the age-incidence of heart disease and cancer anong plutonium workers, the limited pubiished information bearing on this question is more disturbing than reassuring. Most often cited is the medical experience cf 26 plutonium workers at Los Alamos 649»50) | usually accompanied by a statement to the effect that none of the medical findings for this group can be attributed definitely to internally deposired plutonium. With equal justification one may state that most of the serious medical findings in this group can be attributed to plutonium. the original group died in the early 1950's. Another died of a coronary at age 38. but recovered and was well compensated. One member of Canse of death ie not reported, A third suffered a coronary occlusion A fourth developed a hamartoma of the lung and his right lower lobe was surgically removed in May 1971. fifth had a melanoma of the chest wall. for a bleeding ulcer. | A A sixth had a partial gastrectomy One subject suffered loss of teeth, apparently due to damage to the lamina dura of the jaws which show the earliest effects in beagles given toxic doses of plutonium. Another subject has gout. The -£ull medical history of this group, now mostly in their fifties, has not yet completely unfolded. Only 12 of these 26 plutonium workers were exposed to plutonium inhalation. Which of the observed effects were experienced by the inhalation exposure group? Regardless of the distribution, the medical experience of this small group thus far provides no basis for complacenzy about the health consequences of plutonium exposure. Hanford employees and others whose autopsy tissue samples exhibited plutonium levels in excess of 5 fCi/g died mainly of coronary heart ‘ ‘ ub