Strontium-90 in Baby Teeth as a Basis for Estimating U.S. Cancer Deaths From Nuclear Weapons Fallout

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Nuclear Chemistry

Background:

• Atmospheric nuclear weapons testing from the 1950s-1960s dispersed radioactive fallout globally.
• Exposure occurred through contaminated food and water before the Limited Test Ban Treaty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term health risks of global fallout, specifically Strontium-90 (Sr-90).
• To analyze Sr-90 deposition patterns in human deciduous teeth as a biomarker of exposure.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of over 300,000 deciduous teeth collected by Washington University.
• Measurement of in vivo Strontium-90 (Sr-90) levels in teeth.
• Correlation of Sr-90 trends with historical testing periods and geographical fallout levels.

Main Results:

• A sustained increase in Sr-90 was observed in teeth during the testing era, followed by a sharp decline post-treaty.
• Sr-90 patterns in teeth mirrored those found in bones and milk.
• Preliminary data suggest higher cancer mortality in high-fallout areas, particularly for cohorts born during peak testing (early 1960s).

Conclusions:

• Deciduous teeth serve as a valuable historical record of human exposure to radioactive fallout.
• Global fallout from nuclear testing may be associated with increased cancer risks.
• Further research using teeth analysis is warranted to assess fallout hazards.