Concentrations of 210Pb and 210Po in hair and urine of workers, of the uranium mine at Poços de Caldas (Brazil).
210Po and 210Pb concentrations in urine and hair samples from individuals working in different areas of the uranium industrial complex of Poços de Caldas (Brazil) have been determined and compared with a control group of occupationally unexposed individuals. In the control group, smokers showed higher urinary excretion of these radionuclides. Such difference could not be detected in the workers group, which showed an increase in urinary excretion of 210Po for the group working in the chemical laboratory. Accumulation of 210Po and 210Pb in hair showed the same trends as for urinary excretion. The workers group, with the exception of the office employees, showed a 210Po/210Pb ratio > 1 in hair.
Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminese, Niterói, Brazil.
P L
PL
Santos
R C
RC
Gouvea
I R
IR
Dutra
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011059:Polonium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014501:Uranium
D007856:Lead Radioisotopes; D014501:Uranium; D011059:Polonium