Cancer risk from the lifetime intake of Ra and U isotopes

Mays, CW; Rowland, RE; Stehney, AF

HERO ID

1421084

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1985

Language

English

PMID

3921492

HERO ID 1421084
In Press No
Year 1985
Title Cancer risk from the lifetime intake of Ra and U isotopes
Authors Mays, CW; Rowland, RE; Stehney, AF
Journal Health Physics
Volume 48
Issue 5
Page Numbers 635-647
Abstract From extensive human data on the induction of skeletal cancers (bone sarcomas and carcinomas of the head sinuses) by 226Ra, 228Ra and 224Ra, the cumulative lifetime risk to 1 million people, each ingesting 5 pCi of a Ra isotope per day, was calculated to be nine bone sarcomas plus 12 head carcinomas for 226Ra, 22 bone sarcomas for 228Ra, and 1.6 bone sarcomas for 224Ra. Assuming that the risk per rad of average skeletal dose is equal for 226Ra and the U isotopes with half-lives exceeding 1000 yr and that the equilibrium skeletal content is 25 times the daily ingestion of 226Ra, but 11 times the daily ingestion of long-lived U, the cumulative life-span risk to 1 million persons, each ingesting 5 pCi per day of 233U, 234U, 235U, 236U or 238U, is estimated to be about 1.5 bone sarcomas. The U risk is not well established and additional research is needed on the metabolism of U in humans and its carcinogenicity in laboratory animals. These estimates assume linear dose responses. However, if incidence varies with the square of dose, virtually no induced cancers would be expected from these levels of radioactivity.
Doi 10.1097/00004032-198505000-00005
Pmid 3921492
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English