| Radionuclides in the lichen-caribou-human food chain near uranium mining operations in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 10378999 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The richest uranium ore bodies ever discovered (Cigar Lake and McArthur River) are presently under development in northeastern Saskatchewan. This subarctic region is also home to several operating uranium mines and aboriginal communities, partly dependent upon caribou for subsistence. Because of concerns over mining impacts and the efficient transfer of airborne radionuclides through the lichen-caribou-human food chain, radionuclides were analyzed in tissues from 18 barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus). Radionuclides included uranium (U), radium (226Ra), lead (210Pb), and polonium (210Po) from the uranium decay series; the fission product (137Cs) from fallout; and naturally occurring potassium (40K). Natural background radiation doses average 2-4 mSv/year from cosmic rays, external gamma rays, radon inhalation, and ingestion of food items. The ingestion of 210Po and 137Cs when caribou are consumed adds to these background doses. The dose increment was 0.85 mSv/year for adults who consumed 100 g of caribou meat per day and up to 1.7 mSv/year if one liver and 10 kidneys per year were also consumed. We discuss the cancer risk from these doses. Concentration ratios (CRs), relating caribou tissues to lichens or rumen (stomach) contents, were calculated to estimate food chain transfer. The CRs for caribou muscle ranged from 1 to 16% for U, 6 to 25% for 226Ra, 1 to 2% for 210Pb, 6 to 26% for 210Po, 260 to 370% for 137Cs, and 76 to 130% for 40K, with 137Cs biomagnifying by a factor of 3-4. These CRs are useful in predicting caribou meat concentrations from the lichens, measured in monitoring programs, for the future evaluation of uranium mining impacts on this critical food chain. |
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Authors:
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P A Thomas; T E Gates |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Environmental health perspectives Volume: 107 ISSN: 0091-6765 ISO Abbreviation: Environ. Health Perspect. Publication Date: 1999 Jul |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1999-07-29 Completed Date: 1999-07-29 Revised Date: 2009-11-18 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0330411 Medline TA: Environ Health Perspect Country: UNITED STATES |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 527-37 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. thomasp@sask.usask.ca |
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Child Child, Preschool Female Food Chain* Food Contamination, Radioactive* Gamma Rays Humans Lichens / metabolism* Male Mining* Radiation Dosage Radioisotopes / analysis* Reindeer / metabolism* Risk Assessment Uranium / analysis* |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Radioisotopes; 7440-61-1/Uranium |
| Comments/Corrections | |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
| Full Text | |
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Journal Information Journal ID (nlm-ta): Environ Health Perspect ISSN: 0091-6765 |
Article Information Download PDF  Print publication date: Month: 7 Year: 1999 Volume: 107 Issue: 7 First Page: 527 Last Page: 537 ID: 1566655 PubMed Id: 10378999 Publisher Item Identifier: sc271_5_1835 |
| Radionuclides in the lichen-caribou-human food chain near uranium mining operations in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. | |
| P A Thomas | |
| T E Gates | |
| Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. thomasp@sask.usask.ca |
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