An investigation on the possible threshold between the inhaled thorium dusts and its effects on hepatic functions of the miners

Objective: To investigate the possible threshold between the thorium lung burden and the five hepatic parameters of the miners with long-term inhaled thorium containing ore dusts. Method: By using high sensitive negative voltage exhaled thoron progeny collection and measurement system, the thorium lung burdens of each dust exposed miner was obtained. Results: Our results showed that whenever the thorium lung burden is below 7.26 Bq, the miner's five hepatic parameters would be normal range. Conclusion: By our own results and the data from literatures. the possible threshold existing between the thorium lung burden and its effects on five hepatic parameters will be from 7.26 Bq-74 Bq. (authors)