Science 1966 : Lead-210 and Polonium-210 in Tissues of Cigarette Smokers

Science 9 September 1966: 
 Vol. 153 no. 3741 pp. 1259-1260
DOI: 10.1126/science.153.3741.1259

Lead-210 and Polonium-210 in Tissues of Cigarette Smokers

1. Richard B. Holtzman,
2. Frank H. Ilcewicz
   

   Abstract

   Concentrations of lead-210 and polonium-210 in rib bones taken from 13 cigarette smokers were about twice those in six nonsmokers, the polonium-210 being close to radioactive equilibrium with the lead-210. In alveolar lung tissue the concentration of lead-210 in smokers was about twice that in nonsmokers. These differences are attributed to additional intake by inhalation of lead-210.
   
    http://www.sciencemag.org/content/153/3741/1259.short