Late Effects of Radioactive Materials Deposited in Man

Abstract

Since 1955 studies have been made of approximately 300 persons who had worked in radium dial factories in Illinois from 1915 to the early 1930s or who had received medical treatment with radium 35 to 45 years ago. These persons have been found to have characteristic defects and destructive changes in skeletal structure.

At present the data of these studies provide the only available information applicable to establishing permissible levels of radioactive materials in occupational settings. Also, they indicate the long-term effects of radioactive elements deposited in the body.