The uptake and retention of 32P and 65Zn from the consumption of Columbia river fish.

Abstract

Hanford reactors discharge effluent cooling water into the Columbia River resulting in the incorporation at low concentrations of 65Zn and 32P in aquatic organisms. These radionuclides in the aquatic food chain may ultimately enter man's diet by way of fish caught and eaten by local fishermen. The determination of exposure level from the ingestion of these radionuclides in fish requires evaluation of their absorption and retention by man. Seven volunteer subjects participated in a study of the uptake and retention of 32P and 65Zn as a result of eating Columbia River fish. Analysis of the fish provided ingestion data while whole-body counting techniques established the resulting body burdens. A beta counter calibrated for 32P body burden measured the retention of this radionuclide. In addition, excreta and blood samples were collected and analyzed to evaluate uptake and transfer parameters. The experiment provided new estimates of the fractional uptake of radiophosphorous (100 per cent) and radiozinc (35 per cent) from fish, as well as their effective half lives. As a result of utilizing several subjects in the experiment, a measure of the possible variation of the value of these parameters among members of the population is provided.