Re: Plutonium-238-containing cardiac pacemakers

["Robert Denne" <rdenne@worldnet.att.net>]

What is the activity content of these pacemakers in general?  Should the NRC
be licensing Type B caskets?  Should we be getting approval to dispose of
greater than class C bodies?

You're right.  There are a whole lot of issues here that I as a waste
processor have with disposing of Pu.  If it is ok in a human, maybe we
should be contracting with our local mortuary for disposal of sources.
----- Original Message -----
From: Franta, Jaroslav <frantaj@aecl.ca>
To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 1999 5:16 AM
Subject: Plutonium-238-containing cardiac pacemakers


>
> Hello Radsafers,
>
> This is a request to anyone who might have any data on the number of
> Plutonium-238-containing cardiac pacemakers.
> > Are they still manufactured and used?
> Presumably, in the past, thousands of people were fitted with these
devices
> (my old nuclear engineering text book has a very nice photo of one..).
>
> The reason I'm asking is that its related to the much publicized issue of
> transportation of mixed oxide (MOX) nuclear fuel containing small (~3 -
4%)
> amounts of Plutonium-239, derived from surplus US & Russian nuclear
weapons
> stocks, and destined to be burned in nuclear powerplants (the "Swords to
> Ploughshares" solution to surplus plutonium disposition).
> The plutonium isotope in these medical devices is about 290 times more
> radioactive than that which constitutes over 90% of weapons plutonium (it
> HAS TO be - otherwise its radioactive decay heating could not supply the
> required thermoelectric power for up to 35 years). Yet we have no qualms
> about letting people carrying plutonium in their chests travel on our
> subways, in our cars and airliners, and eat at our dinner tables. Even the
> patients' own personal radiation exposure from these implants is only
about
> the same as the normal natural radiation background dose we all receive.
>
> Your information would be much appreciated.
>
> Thank you.
>
> > jaro
> >
> frantaj@aecl.ca
>
>
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