Fluorine determination in human and animal bones by particle-induced gamma-ray emission.

Fluorine was determined in the iliac crest bones of patients and in ribs collected from post-mortem investigations by particle-induced gamma-ray emission based on the 19F(p,p'gamma)19F reaction, using 2.0/2.5 MeV protons. The results indicate that for 68% of the human samples the F concentration is in the range 500-1999 microg g(-1). For comparison purposes fluorine was also determined in some animal bones; in some animal tissues lateral profiles of fluorine were measured.