Plutonium and uranium in Japanese human tissues

Plutonium and uranium in human tissues obtained from residents of the Tokyo area were determined by a-spectrometry and the fission track method, respectively. The distribution pattern of each element was estimated on the basis of mean concentration obtained. Plutonium is concentrated in some special organs, while uranium is distributed rather generally throughout the whole body. This difference of distribution tendency is considered to be due to the characteristics of stable chemical states of the elements in body fluid; Pu4+ for plutonium and UO2(2+) for uranium.