Some vitamin and vaccine doses are measured by their biological activity,
which, in turn, does not directly relate to the mass of a discrete compound
per unit volume (concentration), so it is impossible to give a exact
concentration for them in any metric units (or FFUs for that matter).
International Units (IU) are used instead. These are based on an
internationally agreed on biologicall effect or response. I don't know what
organizations do this agreeing. Vitamins A, D and E are examples of this.
There are various forms of these vitamins with which the body can "do its
thing." Each has a different molecular weight so to get the same effect
would require different concentrations of each form. The vitamins you buy
are most likely mixtures of various forms. Vaccines are sometimes made of
busted up bits of viruses or bacteria. Some of these bits can evoke an
immune response, but trying to get a precise mass and therefore a precise
concentration based on which bits cause a immune response while discounting
those that do not would not be useful.
In short I think that dispensing vaccine by IU/mL does not disqualify
Australia from the fully converted side of the isle.
Scott C
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On
> Behalf Of Paul Trusten
> Sent: Friday, December 01, 2000 2:33 PM
> To: U.S. Metric Association
> Cc: U.S. Metric Association
> Subject: [USMA:9489] Re: Australia not fully converted yet
>
>
> I'm not sure what an international unit is vis a vis SI, but it is not
> backward. It is a correct expression of a concentration, sayeth this
> apothecary.
>
> "Carter, Baron" wrote:
> >
> > Australia not fully converted yet. Its Quarantine and
> Inspection Service
> > still quotes vaccination doses in IU/ml
> >
> > http://www.aqis.gov.au/docs/anpolicy/dogcatapplication.pdf
> > <http://www.aqis.gov.au/docs/anpolicy/dogcatapplication.pdf>
> >
> >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Name: Boomerang.gif
> > Boomerang.gif Type: GIF Image (image/gif)
> > Encoding: base64
>
> --
> Paul Trusten, R.Ph.
> 3609 Caldera Boulevard, Apt. 122
> Midland TX 79707-2872 USA
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
> "No one from the Audubon Society has yet documented the
> finding of a modified barium swallow."
> --Byrd Ona Wyng, Forensic Ornithologist
>
> "Free Billy Rubin!" ---Medical Technologists' protest cry
>
