DIETARY INTAKE OF RADIONUCLIDES
893
In an attempt to compensate for the inadequacy of radionuclide
estimates derived from food-consumption data, several approaches
have been proposed:
1. Development of improved food-consumption estimates for many
segments of the population.
2. Determination and use of appropriate ORurine/gier Values for the
various population groups.
Food-consumption information would not be
necessary to obtain this information.
3. Use of the urinary '"Cs/"Sr ratio as a Sr indicator when
environmentallevels of fallout are relatively stable.
None of the preceding techniques will completely solve the problem,
but each may aid in defining the population groups requiring further
study.
With the continued nuclear moratorium, the need is to refine our
techniques of estimation so that in the future we will not suddenly be
faced with a problem of high radionuclide intake from a specified area
or group of people. Our current methods in this program leave much
to be desired. If there is a definite need to determine accurate
radionuclide-intake data, then much improvement is needed.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Special thanks are given to C. L. Comar for his comments and
assistance in preparing this paper.
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