Thorium is a natural, radioactive element. In the environment, Thorium is present in combination with other metals, such as Silicon. Small amounts of Thorium are found in all rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals. Soil contains about 6 parts of Thorium per million parts of soil (6 ppm). More than 99% of the natural Thorium is Th-232 (232Th). The 232Th is split into two parts: a small part called "alpha decay" and a more significant part called "decay product." The decay product is also unstable, and subsequent decay products eventually result in a stable product. During these decay processes, radioactive substances, including Radium and Radon, are produced.
Thorium is a radioactive substance naturally present in the environment. It is used to produce ceramic and metal alloys for the gas, aerospace, and nuclear industries. It can also be used as fuel for nuclear power generation. Workers exposed to high levels of thorium in the air have been shown to develop lung, pancreatic, and blood cell cancers.
How does Thorium enter the environment?
- Thorium is a natural part of the environment
- Thorium is converted very slowly to other radioactive substances. It takes approximately 14 billion years for half of Thorium-232 to change to new forms
- As rocks are eroded by air and water, Thorium and all other rock components become part of the soil
- Thorium in the soil can be moved to rivers and lakes
- Dust and volcanic eruptions are the natural sources of Thorium in the air
- Combustion of carbon can release small amounts of Thorium into the air
- Mines that extract Thorium-containing rocks or industries that process Thorium-containing products may also release thorium into the environment
How is one exposed to Thorium?
- All have been exposed to small amounts of Thorium from the air, water, and food
- By breathing the air near the facilities where minerals containing Uranium, Phosphorus, or Tin are processed
- Residents of houses built on the ground with high levels of Thorium
- Workers in the uranium, thorium, tin, and phosphate mining industries and the metal manufacturing industries may be exposed to higher levels of Thorium
- Living near radioactive waste disposal sites
How can Thorium affect health?
Studies of workers in thorium processing industries have shown that inhaling high Thorium dust concentrations increases the likelihood of lung disease. Between 1928 and 1955, people who injected Thorotrast, a compound of Thorium used as a contrast agent (for x-rays), developed liver and blood diseases.
Thorium is odorless and tasteless and is naturally present in minimal quantities almost everywhere on Earth. The average person contains about 100 micrograms of Thorium and usually consumes three micrograms of Thorium each day. After ingestion, 99.98% of Thorium is removed from the body. Of the Thorium that remains in the body, 75% accumulates in the bones.
How can one determine if one has been exposed to Thorium?
We can measure the levels of thorium (not its radioactivity) in blood and most biological materials.
Determination of metals is done by ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry), a method that enables the simultaneous detection of many metals. Its sensitivity and accuracy are significantly better than conventional atomic absorption, with the ability to measure metals at concentrations up to 1 in 1015 (1 in 1 quadrillion, ppq)!
Important Note
Laboratory test results are the most important parameter for diagnosing and monitoring all pathological conditions. Between 70% and 80% of diagnostic decisions are based on laboratory tests. The correct interpretation of laboratory results allows a doctor to distinguish "healthy" from "diseased."
Laboratory test results should not be interpreted solely based on the numerical result of a single analysis. They should be interpreted in relation to each individual case, family history, clinical findings, and the results of other laboratory tests and information. Your physician should explain the importance of your test results.
At Diagnostiki Athinon, we answer any questions you may have about the test you perform in our laboratory and contact your doctor to ensure you receive the best possible medical care.
