Re: Toxic Trivia

[Kjell Johansen <kjell.johansen@wepco.com>]

With regard to the Pb-210 and Po-210 in tobacco.  The entry mechanism is
not via the root system.  It is the diffusion of radon out of the
ground.  The radon and its decay products being small and highly charged
attach to minute airborne particles called Aiken particles.  These
charged Aiken particles then are attracted to the ends of the hairlike
projections on the fuzzy underside of the tobacco leaf. I do not
remember where I read about this mechanism but I believe it was in the
old Radiological Health Data Reports from the 60s or 70s. 

Kjell Johansen
kjell.johansen@wepco.com
Wisconsin Electric Power Company
Milwaukee
Just my own thoughts and not necessarily those of my employer.
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html