Strontium-90 in Human Plasma

Abstract

THE average daily dietary intake of strontium-90 in Britain during 1958 has been assessed as about 6 µµc. per gm. calcium¹. It is well known that discrimination against strontium relative to calcium takes place in absorption from, the gut and excretion by the kidney². The combined effect of these discriminatory processes would lead to an expected concentration of strontium-90 relative to calcium in human plasma of about one-quarter that in the diet, that is, about 1.5 µµc. strontium per gm. calcium in 1958. No measurements of the strontium-90 content of human plasma have yet been reported. On the basis of the above estimation, at least 20 litres would be required for a measurable activity to be obtained. Thus the same individual must be bled on a large number of occasions over a long period of time or many individuals must be bled to provide a bulked specimen.