2
figure is in good agreement with the geochemical value of 15 + 2. If strontium-90
becomes uniformly mixed with the soil,
as may occur in tilled fields, this factor
will permit prediction of human bone
level directly from soil analyses.
Therelatively uniform distribution of
common strontium in human bone refiects the uniformity in human diet. This
observation means that variations in
strontium/calcium ratios in different
areas will not be an important factor in

the distribution of strontium-90 from

0

40

AO

PPM

120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400
STRONTIUM

Fig. 1. Histogram of common strontium
in ash of whole skeleton from New York
City.

vegetables, the predicted over-all discrimination factor would be

16. This

nuclear tests in the world’s population.
D. L. Tourser, Jf. L. Kuve
E. Hopcrs, P. W. Gast
J. M. Wamp er
Lamont Geological Observatory,
Columbia University, Palisades,
New York

References and Notes

1, W. R. Eckelmann, J. L. Kulp, A. R. Schulert,
Science 127, 266 (1958).

K. K, Turekian and J. L. Kulp, Science 124,

405 (1956).
R. M. Hodges et al., J. Biel. Chem. 185, 518
(1950).
Lamont Geological Observatory contribution
No. 304, This research was carried out under
contract AT(30-1)-1656 between the US.
Atomic Energy Commission and Columbia
University. The criticsms and suggestions of
Dr. K. K. Turekian ae appreciated. We acknowledge the assistanie of Mr. P. Hazlett.
. A paper describing th: details of this work is
being prepared by A. %. Schulert, J. L. Kulp
and E. Hodges.
E. M. Sowden and 5 R. Stitch, Biockem, J.
67, 104 (1957).
C. L. Comar et al., Proce. Soc. Exptl, Biol.
Med, 48, 232 (1955).
K. K. Turekian and . L. Kulp, Geechim. et
Cosmochim. Acta 10, '45 (1956).
R. Menzel, private coamunication.
W. J. Visek ef al, jf. Dairy Sci. 35, 783
(1952).
19 February 1958

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