Abstract
Some of the fissile nuclides resulting from nuclear weapon explosions may not undergo fission so these nuclides, together with neutron capture products, may be dispersed from explosions in the atmosphere. Many of these nuclides are alpha emitters and the comparatively high levels of natural alpha activity complicate their identification and measurement. A technique is described that employs an alpha spectrometer for the measurement of Pu239 and Pu240 directly in ground level air at concentrations as low as 5/ 10-17 c/kg despite the presence of naturally occurring Po210. Results are reported from the analysis of atmospheric dust samples and samples of lung tissue. The relation of lung burden and atmospheric concentration of radionuclides is discussed. The total Pu239 inhaled up to June 1962 by a standard man in England was calculated as of the order of 5 pc.
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