RE: "Pin Head" Instant Death Dose

[MICHAEL S FORD <MFORD@pantex.com>]

>>>>>On 18 Oct 95, Dave Scherer wrote >>>>>>>>
OK, here goes.  I'll use Pu-239 data for simplicity.  A volume of 1 mm3 has
an activity of 45 MBq.  Using ICRP 30 DCFs, the committed dose to the
bone surface is several million rem (9E6 rem for Class W, 4E6 rem for Y). 
The committed effective dose equivalent is about an order of magnitude
lower.

I'm not sure how big the pin head in question is, but internal dosimetry isn't
that accurate anyway.

Dave Scherer scherer@uiuc.edu
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The above numbers are more suitable for Pu fines or powder-form oxides. 
But if you working with weapon-grade or weapon-component Pu, you
should consider the mitigating factors of ingesting or inhaling a piece of
solid metal.  If it's inhaled, a 1 cubic mm particle is big enough to be
eventually ingested, then you're dealing with a highly insoluble,
self-attenuating solid metal chunk passing through the GIT and (eventually)
being excreted.

'Food for thought, or trash can fodder -- whichever works best!

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Michael Ford
Battelle Pantex
Amarillo, Texas
806.477.5727
mford@pantex.com
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caveat lector:  Intellect distinguishes between
the possible and the impossible; reason distinguishes
between the sensible and the senseless.  Even the 
possible can be senseless.  -- Max Born
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