samples from Bikini Island showed the
239,240
average concentration of
Pu
various pathways does not lead
to be 0.007 pCi/liter.?
centrations in body tissues or ex-
directly to abolute plutonium con-
In 1971, the
average concentration of 239,240,
cretions, it does show that a Bikini
in three urine samples from Bikini
population is exposed to higher plu-
was 0.004 pCi/liter.
tonium levels through dietary and
But in 1974 the
average in ten samples was a much
inhalation pathways than a New York
higher 0.013 pCi/liter.*
population.
{No errors
are attached to these concentrations reported in Ref.
1.
We acknowledge that the excretion
The average
rates of plutonium and the quantities
concentration for any year was ob-
excreted may differ significantly,
tained by multiplying the plutonium
depending on routes of entry into the
concentration of each sample by its
body, and that the assessment of these
volume, summing these products, and
rates and quantities is further com-
dividing by the total volume.)
plicated by dissimilar physio-chemical
In
1975 the average 239,240), concentra—
forms of plutonium in the environment.
tion in a pooled 9-lLiter urine sample
We suggest that different concentra-.
from Bikini was reported as 0.011 pCi/
tions of plutonium in corresponding
Liter.?
pathways of New York and Bikini can
This concentration is similar
to the value found in 1974 but is ten
account for the difference between
times higher than the concentration
urinary levels presently found in the
of 0.001 pCi/liter reported for a
two populations.
1975 representative population sample
mated intakes of plutonium at both
from New York.”
New York and Bikini should give con-
However, the esti-
centrations in urine very different
Because of the toxicity of plutonium and the belief that urine con-
than those reported to us.”
This
centrations directly indicate pluto-
discrepancy suggests several inter-
nium burdens in the body, the 1970-75
pretations.
increase of plutonium in Bikini urine
If the concentrations found in
samples and the much higher plutonium
pathways relate directly to the con-
urine levels in Bikini samples, com-
centrations excreted, then the pluto-
pared
nium in Bikinians' urine will in-
to New York samples,
are cause
crease with time and will differ
for concern.
even more from concurrent New York
The purpose of this report is to
compare data on Bikini and New York
samples as the Bikinians rely in-
plutonium pathways to man.
creasingly on dietary components, from
Although
comparing the intake of plutonium via
their atoll.
-2-
WH 5010222