Blood cesium

There are many examples of relatively straightforward use of ICP-MS for the analysis of biological fluids. Antimony has been measured in blood after a 14 1 dilution [236]. Cesium serum levels were found to be elevated in patients with alcohol dementia but not in Alzheimer s disease patients [237]. Cobalt levels in rat serum depended on the form of cobalt [238] ingested. Bismuth levels were measured in human blood and urine by using a direct injection nebulizer [239]. Lead was measured in the blood and blood plasma of smelter workers and the general population [240]. The measurement of trace elements in serum by ICP-MS has been compared to results from neutron activation analysis and proton-induced x-ray emission [241]. Semiquantitative analysis can also be used to obtain a rapid screening of samples [242]. 

Kumar et al. 1989 Study of groups of depressed, manic, recovered, and normal individuals no differences in hair, whole blood, serum, or urine levels of cesium. 

Cesium levels in milk are about one-quarter to one-tenth those in the feed, and almost four-fold those in blood. Milk and blood cesium levels are strongly correlated (Heine et al., 1977) and depend on Cs concentrations in the feed. In the UK, the daily intake of cesium by humans is about 13 pg (Hamilton and Minsky, 1972). 

In animals, cesium is absorbed almost totally in the intestine, and then distributed through the whole body via the blood circulation. Based on their analogy to potassium, radiocesium isotopes mainly accumulate in muscle tissues (Whickers and Finder, 2002). By contrast, connective tissues contain much less radiocesium, and fatty tissues are virtually radiocesium-free. 

Versieck, J. Hoste. J., Barbier. F., Michels, H. and De Rudder, J. (1977). Simultaneous determination of iron, zinc, selenium, rubidium and cesium in serum and packed blood cells by neutron activation analysis. Clin. Chem. 23,1301. 

Yes, there are several. However, they are not routinely available in a doctor s office, because they require special laboratory equipment. Some tests can measure the amount of radionuclides in urine, or in fecal samples, even at very low levels. A technique called "whole-body counting can detect gamma radiation emitted by cesium-137 in the body. A variety of portable instruments can directly measure cesium-137 on the skin or hair. Other techniques include directly measuring the level of cesium-137 in soft tissues samples from organs or from blood, bones, and milk. 

In a first pilot study analyzing 1 fil human blood which was applied directly to the FD emitter sodium, potassium, calcium, rubidium and cesium were found in one analytical run . Thus, it could be expected that FDMS using photographic detection should also be applicable to biological or medical samples without pretreatment. 

Mintz PD, Wehrli G. Irradiation eradication and pathogen reduction. Ceasing cesium irradiation of blood products. Bone Marrow Transplant 2009 44(4) 205-11. 

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