examined by
of the series, respectively, were
c Energy
physicians associated with the U. S. Atomi
Commission.
29 plu-
recording
been
ze of
14.
In
these
rission)
study
rerval
-ood
: phosIT oca
iP of
and
ings,
but
There were no significant medical find-
some
concern was expressed about what
with normal male subjects of the same age, this
observation was considered to be within normal
ledge has been gained and techniques have changed
After reviewing the experimental program in
limits.
1956,
it was decided to increase the interval be-
tween examinations to 5 years and,
Dr. William Christiansen of the University of Utah,
to reduce the number of x-rays.
All 25 of the men
were examined by their family physicians in 1960,
In Late 1971 and early 1972, 21 of the 25 subjects came to Los Alamos for a complete study in-
cluding urine assays for plutonium, in vtvo measure-
complete
#3
1
i
Lj}
|
OUR
5
>
x
~t
chemical separation of plutonium, radiometric measurements, and the bases for estimation of the plutoThe current (1972) version of
the PUQFUA (Plutonium Body Burden From Urine Analysis) code’ was used to estimate what is considered
to be the best value for the body burden of the
TABLE IV
Case
cholesterol, total bilirubin, total
Code
19537
19s7?
1
0.03 - 0.06
0.03 - 0.06
2
0.006 - 0.032
-
agen”
0.01
-
1972
0.206
0.03
protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, total lipid,
3
0.08
0.07
0.13
SGOT, LDH, creatinine, glucose BUN, and urea).
4
0.08
0.08
0.14
0.26
Roentgenograms were also taken of the chest, pelvis,
5
0.08
0.07
0.14
0.18
and teeth.
6
0.06
0.06
0,07
0.14
7
0.06
0.06
0.08
0.15
Except for the ailments that one would expect
0.42
in a group of men mostly in their early fifties,
8
0.04
0.04
0.05
O.11
all subjects examined were in remarkably good health.
9
0.06
0.06
O.11
Q.11
10
0.05
0.05
0.03
0.10
11
0.03
0.02
0.03
0.05
12
0.03
0.02
0.02
0.12
0,005
One man had a coronary occlusion but had recovered
and was well compensated, and another of the orig-
J
evolution of the methods of urine collection, radio-
PLUTONIUM BODY BURDEN ESTIMATES FOR UPPU SUBJECTS”
The medica] examination
consisted of the following procedures:
phatase,
completely since 1953 when the first reasonably
Pu in the chest, pulmonary cytology,
and chromosome analyses.
Because more know-
sophisticated estimates were made, we have pre-
nium body burden.
17 in 1966, and 24 in 1970.
239
1972) are shown in Table IV.
sented in Appendix B a detailed description of the
on the advice of
alysis and blood chemistry profiles (alkaline phos-
inal group died in 1959 of a coronary at age 38.
Another had a hamartoma of the lung surgically
removed without complication in 1971 (see Appendix
C and section V.C).
A third had a melanoma of the
chest wall (regional lymph nodes were negative).
A
fourth had a partial gastrectomy for a bleeding
ulcer.
Several had mild hypertension and moderate
obesity, and one had gout.
All men were actively
working, most as successful executives.
No roentgenographic changes in the lungs or
bones were apparent.
The lamina dura of the jaws
(which show the first changes in beagies given toxic
doses of plutonium)
The
The estimates of body burden of plutonium as
determined by assay of the urine of the subjects
made during the 20-year observation period (1953-
history and physical, complete blood count, urin-
ov.
Plutonium Body Burdens as Determined by Urine
Assay
appeared to be an excess of bone islands in the
However, after careful comparison
roentgenograms.
ments for
‘jects
B.
were intact in all cases except
in one edentulous Subject.
13
0,02
0.02
0.04
16
0.006
0.006
0.002
0.03
17
0.04
0.046
0.09
0.13
0.10
18
0.04
0.04
0.04
19
0.03
0.03
0.06
0.02
20
0.02
0.02
0,02
0.05
21
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.04
22
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.05
0.04
23
0.02
0.02
0,04
24
0.006
0.006
0.01
0.03
25
0.006
0.006
0.01
0.01
26
0.02
0.02
0.03
0,006
27
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.05
“Microcurie + approximately 50 percent.
13