TABLE 2.3—Gross Beta Activity in Urine of Ailinginae and American Groups*
Ailinginae
(46 days postdetonation)
Age and
case No.
Total 24-hr
volume (ml)
Americans
(44 days postdetonation)
Beta Activity
Total 24-hr
Beta Activity
(dis/nin/24 hr)
Case No.
volume (ml)
(dis/min/24 hr)
150
217
Mean
=
150
217
401
2
3
4
5
1970
650
1224
440
735
0
0
820
78
0
48
53
180
1
1410
1260
81
370
88
8
9
10
275
126
11
12
1580
1460
385
0
900
880
680
780
260
920
610
765
827
1202
0
846
62
754
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
720
1380
1930
945
1520
1300
1070
438
830
0
550
353
<5 yr
6
8
44
Mean
>16 yr
1
16
28
29
31
41
43
45
13
1810
965
0
466
0
51
410
400
680
21
70
440
0
23
1180
0
24
1160
750
M
ean
850
ee
64
722
22
558
25
26
27
28
Mean
1380
187
510
565
1220
323
1158
309
0
*Values corrected for decay.
No correlation was found between body weight and the total activity per 24 hr excreted in
the urine by members of the Rongelap group.
Gross beta activity measurements were also made by NYOO-AECon the samples sent to
them. Their results (Harley) essentially corroborate the findings by NRDL, particularly the
ratio of the activities among the three groups studied. The absolute values of the activity
determined by NYOO-AEC, however, were lower than the NRDL values by a constant factor.
2.2.2
Radiochemical Analysis of the Urine: Estimate of Body Burden
Radiochemical analysis of the Rongelap urine samples indicates that the alkaline-earth
and rare-earth groups together contributed 75 per cent of the beta activity at 45 days post-
detonation (Table 2.4). The predominant radionuclide is Sr®*, which contributes 42 per cent of
the total beta activity at this time.
Assays of fissile material made on pooled samples of urine were all negative within experimental limits.
The early urine samples analyzed by the LASL® (collected 15 days postdetonation) contained large amounts of radioiodine in addition to the alkaline and rare earths.
17