Abstract
A mean concentration of 2.4×10−8 g U/g ash has been obtained for normal human bone The microdistribution of uranium in bone indicates that this element is mainly restricted to endosteal surfaces; in particular the surfaces of trabecular bone and the walls of open Haversian canals in cortical bone. This distribution suggests that uranium is present in a chemical form that is not acceptable for incorporation into bone apatite and consequently there does not appear to be a significant diffuse distribution of uranium throughout bone.
Résumé
Une concentration moyenne de 2.4×10−8 g U/g de cendre a été obtenue à partir de l'os humain normal. La microdistribution de l'uranium dans l'os indique que cet élément est surtout limité à surface de l'endoste et, en particulier, aux surfaces de l'os lamellaire et aux parois des canaux de Havers, ouverts dans l'os corticol. Cette répartition suggère que l'uranium se présente sous une forme chimique impropre à son incorporation dans l'apatite osseux: il ne semble donc pas exister une distribution diffuse significative de l'uranium dans l'os.
Zusammenfassung
Eine mittlere Konzentration von 2,4×10−8 g Uran/g Asche wurde in normalen menschlichen Knochen gefunden. Die Feinverteilung von Uran im Knochen zeigt, daß dieses Element hauptsächlich an der endostalen Oberfläche vorkommt, insbesondere an der Oberfläche des trabeculären Knochens und an den Wänden der offenen Haversschen Kanäle im kortikalen Knochen. Diese Verteilung läßt vermuten, daß Uran in einer chemischen Form vorliegt, welche sich für den Einbau in das Knochenapatit nicht eignet. Daraus folgt, daß keine signifikante diffuse Verteilung des Urans innerhalb des Knochens vorliegt.
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This work is part of a programme of work undertaken by the Radiological Protection Service which is supported by the Medical Research Council and the Department of Health and Social Security.
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Hamilton, E.I. The concentration and distribution of uranium in human skeletal tissues. Calc. Tis Res. 7, 150–162 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02062603
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02062603