Intake, excretion and tissue distribution of87Rb for a group of Indian population

87Rb is a naturally occurring long-lived radionuclide (T1/2 87Rb 4.8 x 1010 years). There is very little data available in the literature on its intake, distribution, and excretion pattern for Indian population. A method using atomic absorption spectrometry was standardised and applied to determine the concentrations of stable Rb in diet, drinking water, human tissues and urine samples, 87Rb concentrations were worked out from stable Rb values. The mean concentrations of 87Rb thus determined in human organs such as heart, kidney, liver and lungs were obtained to be 6.2, 7.2, 8.6 and 6.9 mBq g-1 fresh weight respectively. Its intake and urinary excretion were calculated to be 2.4 and 1.4 mBq d-1 respectively. (author). 6 refs., 2 figs