Distribution of Polonium210in Pulmonary Tissues of Cigarette Smokers

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Abstract
CIGARETTE smoke contains trace amounts of an alpha-particle-emitting radioactive element, polonium210 (Po210),1 a naturally occurring daughter isotope of radium226. In establishing whether this source of radiation exposure may be involved in the initiation of bronchial cancer in smokers, an important step is to show that pulmonary tissues of smokers, particularly certain regions of the bronchial epithelium, contain more of this element than those of nonsmokers. Because polonium has the property of binding strongly to solids, it is a reasonable hypothesis that a major part of the inhaled Po210 may remain attached to smoke particles as they are excreted. . . .