Absorption of environmental polonium-210 by the human gut

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Abstract
Current values for the gut absorption factor of polonium-210 (210Po) are based on very few human data, yet the dose due to 210Po is an important component of the dose to man through food as a result of natural sources of radiation. In this study, three male and three female adult volunteers ate supplies of brown crab meat containing natural concentrations of 210Po, which were analysed from sub-samples. Daily urine and faecal samples, taken for 3 days before and up to 3 weeks after ingestion, were also analysed. Values of apparent absorption were derived from the faecal measurements; estimates of the true absorption were derived taking account of endogenous faecal excretion on the basis of existing data for intravenous administration. The results appear to suggest that the gut absorption factor in current use for 210Po (in connection with ingestion in food) should be increased from 0.1-0.3 to about 0.8. The implications for estimates of dose due to this exposure pathway are noted.

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