Abstract
The biokinetics of239Pu and241Am present in three dust samples obtained from the former nuclear weapons test site were investigated after their deposition in the rat lung. For the different dusts the rates of transfer of the actinides to blood varied up to 100-fold. The most transportable dust had 25% class W and 75% class Y characteristics as denned by ICRP. The corresponding doses per unit intake for adults, children and infants for an aerosol of 5 μm AMAD were calculated to be 0.059, 0.076 and 0.140 mSv Bq−1. The predicted biokinetics of the actinides in humans suggested that measurement of241Am in the chest would be of value for assessing doses to workers involved in further decontamination of the site.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 257-263 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Annals of Occupational Hygiene |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | inhaled_particles_VII |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 1994 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Acknowledgement—This work was carried out under contract with the U.K. Secretary of State for Defence, in support of the Technical Assessment Group of the Maralinga Rehabilitation Programme under the aegis of H.M. Government of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Copyright:
Copyright 2016 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.