Assay of strontium-90 in human permanent teeth in the United Kingdom 1966-1971
Starkey, W.E.; Brooks, W.L.
Journal of the Royal Naval Medical Service 60(3): 145-148
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-9033 PMID: 4461813 Document Number: 70483
The accumulation of 90Sr in over 16 000 teeth was monitored in the UK from 1959 to 1971, when fallout reached a peak and then declined. The permanently fixed mineral ratios in teeth allow estimates of former bone ratios to be made. Countrywide samples were taken of premolars from subjects 9 to 13 years old and, until 1966, third molars from subjects 17 to 21 years old. All teeth, usually extracted for orthodontic treatment, were whole and healthy and were collected in January and July of each year. Samples were bulked according to age, and crowns and roots divided for separate analysis by methods previously described. Results were expressed in mu g Sr/g Ca and pCi 90Sr/g Ca for crowns, roots and whole teeth and a comparison was made between premolar roots (age 10 and 11 years) and posthumous bone (age 5 to 19 years). The relation is evident, but may be made sharper by narrowing the bone limits.