Non-stochastic effects of 226Ra and 228Ra in the human skeleton

Non-cancerous skeletal lesions are observed radiographically in humans carrying internal deposits of 226Ra and 228Ra and in beagles following injection of 226Ra, 228Ra, or 239Pu. These radiographic changes are therefore particularly relevant to the assessment of the health effects of intakes of plutonium and other bone-seeking radionuclides released to the environment by the nuclear industry and by fossil-fuel and nuclear power plants. In this paper, results are reported of a comparative evaluation of the non-malignant changes that have been observed radiographically in the bones of two groups of former radium dial workers, all female - one group exposed predominantly to 226Ra and the other predominantly to 228Ra