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Potential health risks of contaminated media linked to bioavailability and hematotoxicity of uranium-238 (U-238) and thorium-232 (Th-232) remain uncertain. This study investigates the relative bioavailability (RBA), histopathological, and hematological effects of acute oral exposure to U-238 and Th-232 in co-contaminated concrete dust using 174 female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. In order to create a range of U-238 and Th-232 concentrations, concrete was spiked with uranyl and thorium nitrates (similar to 50, 100, and 200 mg kg(-1)). Spiked concretes were then crushed, ground, sieved (<= 75 mu m), and blended uniformly to create co-contaminated concrete dust. SD rats' diet pellet was amended with co-contaminated concrete dust and orally ingested over a 48-h exposure period. The RBA values of U-238 and Th-232 in blood samples from rats' post-exposure were determined as 22.0% +/- 0.86% to 30.8% +/- 1.01% and 11.8% +/- 0.14% to 13.7% +/- 0.29%, respectively. Compared to Th-232, U-238 blood levels of SD rats fed with co-contaminated concrete dust-amended diets were similar to 100-fold higher due to solubility differences, and U-238-RBA values were approximately 2-fold greater, revealing that their absorption rates in the gastrointestinal tract were affected by compound solubility. Post-acute U-238 and Th-232 ingestion from co-contaminated concrete dust demonstrate noticeable histopathological and hematological alterations, implying that intake of U-238 and Th-232 in co-contaminated concrete dust can lead to erythrocytes damage and elevated hematological attributes. Our study would be beneficial for an adequate understanding of the health implications caused by the acute oral exposures of U-238 and Th-232 in co-contaminated concrete dust, especially in the bioavailability and toxicity assessment.

来源平台：KOREAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING