Teeth and alveolar bones as tracers of metals and radionuclides in inhabitants of a uranium region

Abstract

Biodosimetry can define risks in inhabitants of areas with potential contaminants, ensuring environmental protection and living conditions due to toxic and radioactive effects. This study aimed to evaluate metals and radionuclides in dental structures and alveolar bones in residents of a uranium area in Paraíba and Pernambuco, Brazil. Eighty-nine specimens were pulverized, fractionated, and chemically prepared for analysis by EDXRF, FAAS, and ICP-MS. Levels of Ca, Cu, Fe, Si, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, V, Zn, K, Mn, Th, and U were investigated. Higher concentrations were measured for Ca, with an average of 272,986.4 mg kg−1. Ni presented in lower concentrations, with an average of 30.4 mg kg−1. For U, concentrations ranged from 1.5 to 145.0 mg kg−1, with more than 27% of the samples above the reference value of 8.1 μg kg−1. For Th, almost 38% of the results were above the limit of 3.5 μg kg−1. In the bone spicules, the contents of U and Th ranged from 45.1 to 1451.2 μg kg−1 and from 7.5 to 78.4 μg kg−1, in this order. The levels of radionuclides were more expressive for the teeth collected in São José do Sabugi, suggesting contamination through food and water consumption. In the bone spicules, the levels of U were up to 179 times higher than the safety limit. The results indicate a possible risk of contamination with probable induced radiobiological effects.