samples were analyzed for

plutonium, calcium-45, strontium-89, ruthenium-103,

iodine-131, and barium-140.

The I-131 analyses of the pooled urine samples of the

servicemen and Marshallese provided the basis for thyroid dose estimates by Dr. Harris
and later researchers.

Dr. Harris judged that I-131 analysis was the most accurate; it

also led to the highest doses to the servicemen (Reference 9).
The basic finding of the I-13] analysis of the pooled urine sample was the

determination that, for an average individual, the amount of I-131 excreted in urine
over a 24-hour period at the time of the urine sample collection (D+17 days) was 4.0
nanocuries. That result is used to determine the amount of I-131 intake.

The amount of a radionuclide excreted in a 24-hour urine sample is related to the
amount of the radionuclide initially intaken (that is, inhaled and/or ingested) by
A(t) = Qy ° fy * Y(t) F
where

A) =

the amount (uCi) of the radionuclide in a 24-hour urine sample taken
at time t,

QF

the amount (uCi) of the radionuclide intake,

ft) =

the fractional amount of the radionuclide intake that is transferred
to the blood,

Y(t) =

the ratio of the amount (Ci) of the radionuclide excreted with a 24-

hour period to the amount (uCi) of the radionuclide uptaken by the

F =

blood, and
the fraction of the total daily excretion that is present in the urine

18

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