Acute accidental inhalation of U: a 38-year follow-up.
The intake and deposition of U in three men accidentally exposed to soluble natural U compounds in an explosion in 1944 were reevaluated 38 y later by the U.S. Uranium Registry. The initial lung depositions were estimated to be about 40-50 mg of U based on the fragmentary urinary excretion data obtained shortly after the accident. The initial long-term bone deposition was estimated from individual excretion curves and was 410 micrograms (5.2 Bq) in the highest exposed individual, which resulted in an integrated 40-y dose equivalent to the bone surfaces approximately 2 mSv (200 mrem). Medical and health physics examinations of two of the men 38 y after the accident revealed no detectable deposition of U nor any physical findings attributable to U exposure. One of the exposed individuals showed an altered clearance pattern for U shortly after the accident, possibly from pulmonary edema associated with concomitant exposure to acid fumes.
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D014501:Uranium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine
D014501:Uranium