Studies in iodine metabolism. Progress report, April 1-December 1984

Continuous observations were made regarding the changing levels of 129-I and 125-I in animal thyroids, especially in sheep and cattle thyroids from England and Germany and in deer thyroids from the Savannah River Project in South Carolina. To confirm the presence of 125-I and 129-I in the sheep thyroids from England, several samples were analyzed in my laboratory; then some were sent to Oak Ridge National Lab. and others to Brookhaven National Lab. My identifications of 125-I and 129-I were confirmed by both laboratories. We continued routine monitoring for 131-I and for radium daughters in animal thyroids. Most of the results were negative for 131-I and the data on radium daughters were similar to that which we have reported previously. Animal thyroids continued to be received every 1 to 4 weeks from volunteer correspondents in England, West Germany, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Eastern USA. All samples were tested for 131-I and radium daughters. Random samples from each group were tested for 129-I. In addition, the Savannah River Project sent thyroids from deer, killed on the Reservation during October, November, and December, 1984, which were tested for 129-I, 125-I, 131-I, 137-Cs, and radium daughters. The 129-I and 137-Cs were readily measured in all the samples from Savannah River. 3 tables