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