Incorporation of Plutonium-239 into the Hair

On the Radioactivity of Fly Ashes from Coal Power Plants

“…The concentrations of both 238 U and 226 Ra in lignites and in their ashes were found to be in general higher than the published (to our knowledge) values [1,4]. Equilibrium between 238 U and its daughters is not to be expected in the ashes as their relative concentrations will be a function of the burning temperature and the volatilization point of the different elements.…”

“…As pointed out by Jaworowski et al [1], the 226 Ra concentration in atmospheric precipitates has increased by a factor of hundred during the last 80 years. The principal source of this increase beyond the natural Ra-226 concentration is coal burning.…”