Plutonium andUranium in Human Bones from Areas

Human bonelPlutoniumfUraniumlSemipalatinsk nuclear test siteAnternal dose. To evaluate the present levels of 239'240Pu and U in residents living near the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, more than 70 bone samples were obtained at autopsy. The subjects ranged in age from 30 to 86 years (mean 59.3±12.9). Most of the samples consisted of victims who died of various diseases. Plutonium and U were radiochemically separated and deterrnined by or-ray spectrometry. 1[he mean concentrations of 2]9・240pu and 238u observed were O.050±O.041 mBqlg-ash (vertebrae 71, long-bones 18) and O.28±0.13