RE: Pu Toxicity vs DDT

[Robert_A_Jones@RL.gov]

Considering how Pu would react chemically in a moist environment (such
as the GI tract), I seriously doubt that we would get this far (50 yrs).
I just finished speaking to our resident expert on such matters - he
stated that 3 mg of soluble Pu (pure metal would dissolve fairly quick
in the HCl environment) is fatal - Liver and Bone dose.  Bone breakage
would occur at about 1 yr (Ribs breaking off Backbone) from radiation
damage - 1-2 yrs are fatal symptoms for cancers.  Pretty toxic.

You will almost never encounter pure Pu - you will likely come across it
in oxide form.  This oxide form is about as soluble as sand.  Almost all
of your dose will be GI tract dose - of which, should be over with in
about a week.  These calculations should figure Pu oxide, not pure Pu.

Robert A. Jones			Robert_A_Jones@rl.gov
Health Physicist 			phone: (509)376-8528
PFP Radiological Control 		fax: (509)373-4274
Hanford, WA				Hanford Pager: 85-6559 


-----Original Message-----
From:	Maclellan, Jay A [SMTP:jay.a.maclellan@pnl.gov]
Sent:	Thursday, January 28, 1999 11:49 AM
To:	Multiple recipients of list
Subject:	RE: Pu Toxicity vs DDT

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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