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| The Measurement of Thorium Lung Burden and Its Preventive Function for Pneumoconiosis |
| Cheng Yong-e, Chen Xing-an |
| National Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Chinese Center for Disease Control Prevention, Beijing 100088 China |
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Abstract Objective To discuss the measurement of thorium lung burden and its preventive function for pneumoconiosis.Methods Exhaled thoron activity was measured by a negative high voltage electrostatic collection and measurement system.Pneumoconiosis were diagnosed by double-blinded method.Results 50 out of 275 miners suffered from 0+ pneumoconiosis.The result showed that if one's thorium lung burden reached 756mg,the pneumoconiosis of stage 0+ would be induced.Meanwhile the result of 7 year-follow-up study on a miner suffered from pneumoconiosis stage I indicated that 44% of the residual lung burden was clearing with a half-time of 112 days.However,the half-time of the second phase was~7 000 years.Conclusion The measurement of thorium lung burden could help the prevention from pneumoconiosis.
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Received: 22 December 2008
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