title: Probability for human intake of an atom randomly released into ground, rivers, oceans and air.
abstract: Numerical estimates are developed for the probability of an atom randomly released in the top ground layers, in a river, or in the oceans to be ingested orally by a human, and for an atom emitted from an industrial source to be inhaled by a human. Estimates are obtained for both probability per year and for eventual probability. Results vary considerably for different elements, but typical values for total probabilities are: ground, 3 X 10(-3); oceans, 3 X 10(-4); rivers, 1.7 X 10(-4); and air, 5 X 10(-6). Probabilities per year are typically 1 X 10(-7) for releases into the ground and 5 X 10(-8) for releases into the oceans. These results indicate that for material with very long-lasting toxicity, it is important to include the pathways from the ground and from the oceans.
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D000818:Animals; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D011336:Probability; D012119:Respiration; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014873:Water Pollutants; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014873:Water Pollutants