Human Uptake of Radiocaesium from Caribou Meat

Abstract

Several kg of caribou meat containing 250 to 280 Bq.kg −1 of 137 Cs were given to each of seven healthy volunteers at the Bureau of Radiation and Medical Devices. Whole-body measurements were carried out until radiocaesium levels were no longer detectable. 137 Cs activities were also measured in successive 24 h urine and faecal samples during an initial short-term phase. The ICRP two-component retention model was essentially confirmed, with 10% of the radiocaesium body burden being excreted with a half-time of about two days, and the remainder with a longer half-time (mean = 86 days; range = 49 to 186 days). Eighty to ninety per cent of excreted radiocaesium appeared in urine. Most importantly, it was confirmed that uptake of radiocaesium by the GI tract was virtually 100%