Evaluation of the contribution of smoking to total blood polonium-210 in Saudi population

Appl Radiat Isot. 2000 Jan;52(1):23-6. doi: 10.1016/s0969-8043(99)00100-1.

Abstract

A preliminary study of 210Po concentrations in the blood of some smokers and nonsmokers is presented in order to evaluate the contribution of smoking to total blood 210Po in Saudi population. Blood samples were collected from 30 volunteers and analyzed by high resolution alpha-spectrometry using a radiochemical technique. The technique is based on the separation of polonium from other components of the sample by wet ashing with an HNO3/H2O2 oxidizing mixture and spontaneous deposition on a silver disc under the relevant conditions for alpha-particle counting. The results indicated that a significant fraction (about 30%) of blood 210Po is related to smoking.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nicotiana / chemistry
  • Plants, Toxic
  • Polonium / blood*
  • Radioactive Pollutants / analysis
  • Radioactive Pollutants / blood
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Smoking / blood*

Substances

  • Radioactive Pollutants
  • Polonium