An intake of americium oxide powder: implications for biokinetic models for americium.
A worker inhaled 241AmO2 powder. Air sampling showed low activities but a nose blow revealed 92 Bq. Results from faecal sampling and lung and whole-body monitoring indicated an intake of about 200 Bq, but urine sampling, though commencing only 1 d after intake, showed below-threshold activities (< 0.2 mBq). This conflicts with predictions based on the ICRP Publication 67 biokinetic model for americium and the ICRP Publication 66 model for the human respiratory tract, if default lung parameters are used.
Bull
R K
RK
Health Physics and Consulting Division, RWE NUKEM, Harwell, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0QJ, UK. richard.bull@rwenukem.co.uk
Morrison
R T
RT
Talbot
R
R
Roberts
G A
GA
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000652:urine; D000576:Americium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011208:Powders; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D011208:Powders; C034018:americium oxide; D000576:Americium