Specific Activity of210Pb in the Environment

摘要

A review of data on the specific activity of210Pb (pCi210Pb/mg stable Pb) in the environment is presented. Experimental results on aerosol, plant, animal and human samples from Finland are reported. Large variations (18-2450 pCi/mg Pb) were observed for aerosol samples taken from various locations and under different meteorological conditions. Results for the biological samples revealed a much narrower range. A considerable decrease of specific activity was observed along the food chain plant#x2014;animal#x2014;man, thus indicating contamination of the food chain by technological (low-activity) lead. Arctic values of specific activity were observed to be generally higher than #x201C;normal#x201D; values. Human samples from southern Finland contained about 20pCi210Pb/mgPb. Possibilities of utilizing specific activity measurements in lead pollution studies and in elucidating the origin of stable lead in the human diet are discussed.