RE: Pu Toxicity vs DDT

["Maclellan, Jay A" <jay.a.maclellan@pnl.gov>]

Doug's message prompted me to do a few calculations.  0.5g pure Pu-239 equals 31
mCi.  Following an ingestion of 0.5g the doses are estimated by the CINDY
computer code as follows:

	
First Year	50 Years
Effective Dose Equivalent				540 rem	1600 rem

Organ Dose Equivalent (rem)
Red Marrow							44
1600 
Bone Surface							570
21000
LL Intestine								6000
6000
UL Intestine								2000
2000
Small Intestine							340
340

As was stated previously, the physical form of the material could greatly affect
the actual dose, and these are only estimates.  I am personally aware of
plutonium workers with easily detectable depositions who have experience no
health affects, but I don't think I will volunteer to eat any of the stuff.

	Jay A. MacLellan, CHP
	Manager, Radiation Records
	Radiation and Health Technology
	Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
	Phone:  509-376-7247
	Fax:      509-376-2906
Email:   jay.a.maclellan@pnl.gov <mailto:jay.a.maclellan@pnl.gov> 
The thoughts above are mine alone and do not necessarily represent those of the
Federal Government, DOE, nor anyone else.
	-----Original Message-----
	From:	Minnema, Douglas [SMTP:Douglas.Minnema@ns.doe.gov]
	Sent:	Thursday, January 28, 1999 10:52 AM
	To:	Multiple recipients of list
	Subject:	RE: Pu Toxicity vs DDT

	Gus,

	I suggest that you look at the dose to the GI tract itself.  It is quite
	significant. Although I don't remember the exact number right now, I
	seem to recall estimates that 0.5g (Pu-239 equivalent) ingested, if
	finely divided, might cause acute lethality.

	Obviously, it would be strongly dependent upon the form.  Large chunks
	would self-shield more.

	Doug Minnema, CHP
	Defense Programs, DOE
	<Douglas.Minnema@ns.doe.gov>

	what few thoughts i have are truly my own.
	
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