The Concentration of Common potassium, Rubidium and Cesium in Japanese Diet

Abstract

Measurements were made of potassium, rubidium and cesium in a variety of Japanese diet samples to know the fate of these elements in food chain. Each component of the diet contributes potassium evenly to the diet, however, almost a half of cesium is estimated to be contributed by meat, eggs and milk products. Thus, the daily intake of cesium varies greatly depending on the dietary intake of this component. The daily intake by the Japanese adults as a whole is estimated as 1.4 g of potassium, 1.5 mg of rubidium and 0.01 mg of cesium per person. The biological half-lives are estimated as 54, 140 and 76 days, respectively, for potassium, rubidium and cesium on the basis of the balance between the human body and diet assuming a single exponential function of excretion. © 1962, Journal of Radiation Research Editorial Committee. All rights reserved.