Synthesis of superheavy nuclei in heavy-ion reactions with transuranium targets
Slide 1 Plutonium Exposure in Perspective: A Dose of Reality Anthony C. James, PhD, CRadP Director,...
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Transcript of Slide 1 Plutonium Exposure in Perspective: A Dose of Reality Anthony C. James, PhD, CRadP Director,...
Slide 1
Plutonium Exposure in Perspective: A Dose of Reality
Anthony C. James, PhD, CRadPDirector, U.S. Transuranium & Uranium Registries
Research Professor, College of Pharmacy
1845 Terminal Drive, Suite 201
Richland, WA 99354-4959
www.ustur.wsu.edu
Joint Meeting of the Hanford Advisory Board’s (HAB) River & Plateau Committee (RAP) and Health, Safety &
Environmental Protection Committee (HSEP)Richland, WA, January 8th, 2009
“Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers”
Slide 2
• Why were extraordinary measures taken to protect workers on Manhattan Project (and in subsequent U.S. weapons production facilities) from intakes of plutonium?
• Why did the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission set up the “U.S. Plutonium Registry” (in 1968)?- Current status and functions of the U.S. Transuranium and Uranium Registries (USTUR).
• What are USTUR’s pathological (autopsy) findings in U.S. plutonium workers?
• How do we determine tissue doses from internally incorporated transuranic radionuclides?- “Causation” calculations (EEOICPA).
• How do “plutonium” doses compare with normal “background” exposure of the U.S. population to external radiation and internally incorporated radionuclides?
• Conclusions about plutonium “toxicity” (hazard) in the environment.
This Presentation
RAP/HSEP Joint Committee Meeting, Jan 8th, 2009 - James
Slide 3
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Why Handling Plutonium Was Expected to be Hazardous!
Radium dial painters (Peru, Illinois) – completed dials are visible beside each painter, and painting materials are ready on the desks. From: Rowland, R. E. “Radium in Humans: A Review of U.S. Studies,” ANL/ER-3 (1994).
1920’s tragic experience of bone necrosis and osteogenic sarcoma in young women painting radium-luminized instrument/watch dials.
Slide 4
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Radium Workers at Deadly Task!
From: Toohey, R. E. Available at http://www.ustur.wsu.edu/Radium/files/SagaOfRaDPs.pdf
Slide 5
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Easy (Direct) Measurement of Radium “Body Burden”
Inside the whole-body counter in Argonne’s Center for Human Radiobiology, a patient is ready for a measurement of gamma rays emitted from her body. From: Rowland, R. E. “Radium in Humans: A Review of U.S. Studies,” ANL/ER-3 (1994).
Slide 6
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Decay Scheme of (Natural) 238U That Includes 226Ra and the 222Rn (Radon Gas) Decay Chain
238U
234Th
234mPa
234U
230Th
226Ra
222Rn
214Po 218Po
214Bi
214Pb210Pb
210Bi
210Po
206Pb
emission
emission
4.47E9 y
24.1 d
1.17 m
2.46E5 y
1599 y
163.7 µs
5.01 d
stable
138.38 d
22.6 y
19.9 m
27 m
3.10 m
3.8235 d
7.54E4 y
Radon Decay Chain
Short-lived Progeny that contribute to
Potential Alpha Energy
Slide 7
“Radium in Humans: A Review of Human Studies”, R.E. Rowland ANL/ER-3
Bone Sarcoma Death-Rate in Radium Dial Painters vs. 226Ra Intake
Slide 8
Bone Tumor Incidence
Ra intake, µCi Cases Bone tumors
More than 2500 16 4
1000 -- 2499 22 15
500 -- 999 18 8
250 -- 499 32 9
100 -- 249 27 2
Less than 100 644 0
100 µCi = 3.7 MBq (3.7 Million Bq)!
“Radium in Humans: A Review of Human Studies”, R.E. Rowland ANL/ER-3
Slide 9
A Simple Safety Standard!
• Don’t eat the paint
• Brush-tipping was forbidden as an unsafe labor practice by the U. S. Department of Labor in 1929
• No dial workers from the 1930’s on had significant intakes of radium, but were followed up because of external gamma exposure
Toohey, R. E. Available at http://www.ustur.wsu.edu/Radium/files/SagaOfRaDPs.pdf
Slide 10
Radium Standard
• No health effects noted in radium DPs with retained Ra-226 < 1.0 µCi
• Throw in a safety factor of 10
• MPBB for Ra-226 = 0.1 µCi
Toohey, R. E. Available at http://www.ustur.wsu.edu/Radium/files/SagaOfRaDPs.pdf
Slide 11
U.S. Plutonium Standard
• Total alpha energy per decay of parent: Ra-226 = 12 MeV Pu-239 = 5 MeV about a factor of 2
• All Pu alpha energy deposited on bone surface, most Ra energy deposited in bone volume, about a factor of 5
• 100 nCi x 2/5 = 40 nCi
Toohey, R. E. Available at http://www.ustur.wsu.edu/Radium/files/SagaOfRaDPs.pdf
Slide 12
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
U.S. Plutonium Registry: The USAEC Vision
Slide 13
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
The US Transuranium Registry (USTR)
Slide 14
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
The U.S. Transuranium & Uranium Registries – 2009
Slide 15
USTUR Registrant Status
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
As of September 30th, 2008
Total Active (Living) and Deceased Registrants: 423
Living Registrants: 95 Potential Partial-body Donors: 74 Potential Whole-body Donors: 14 Special Studies: 7
Deceased Registrants: 328 Partial-body Donations: 288 Whole-body Donations: 35 Special Studies: 5
Inactive Registrants: 447 Total Number of Registrants: 870
Slide 16
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
The Registries: Historical Profile of Partial Body Donations(Routine Autopsy Cases)
(As of September 30th, 2008)
Slide 17
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
USTUR: Historical Profile of Whole Body Donations
(As of September 30th, 2008)
Slide 18
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Year of Intake for Whole Body Donors
(As of September 30th, 2008)
Slide 19
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
2008 Whole-Body Donations
• January: 87-y-old 239Pu-contaminated puncture wound(s) (Hanford – 1960s).
•March: 95-y-old 239PuO2 acute inhalation (Rocky Flats – 1965 Pu fire – high intake).
•March: 72-y-old 241AmO2 chronic inhalation (U.S. Radium Corporation – 1960s – very high intake – heavily chelated).
• September: 83-y-old U3O8-fume acute inhalation (Hanford – 1948 – up to 300 μg-U/d in urine).
Slide 20
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Current Active Registrants: Potential Whole-Body Donors Total Registrants (WB) = 14: Average age 78 y (± 14 y)
[Excluding #0263 - Average age 81 y (± 8 y)]
Case No Birth Date Age, y Site
0249 1918 90 LOS
0740 1918 90 HAN
0456 1921 87 ROC
0272 1922 86 HAN
0757 1922 86 CHI
0409 1924 84 ROC
0634 1924 84 LOS
0631 1925 82 LOS
0816 1926 81 ROC
0433 1928 80 ROC
0674 1934 73 HAN
0842 1936 71 MND
0266 1943 65 ROC
0263 1972 36 HAN
(As of September 30th, 2008)
Slide 21
• Self-selected for relatively “high” (recorded) intakes of transuranium elements – primarily 239Pu/238Pu/241Am.•Additional exposure to external radiation (/n).• In majority of cases, also additional exposure to industrial
toxic materials- Beryllium (Be), asbestos, toxic chemicals, organic solvents, benzene/toluene.•Any pathological findings are SUMMED effects of “natural”
disease incidence (including “normal” incidence of malignant cancer in matched, non-exposed population) and ALL occupational exposure factors.• Some self-selection for existing cancer (Rocky Flats Plant).
Exposure Characteristics of USTUR Registrants
RAP/HSEP Joint Committee Meeting, Jan 8th, 2009 - James
Slide 22
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Pathology Database – Case Report
Slide 23
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
USTUR Internal Database – Pathology
Slide 24
Cigar2%
Pipe3%
Cigarette & cigar2%
Cigarette & pipe5%
Cigarette81%
All three types7%
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Smoking Habits of Deceased USTUR Registrants
Non-smoking 24%
Smoking 76%
Source: Fallahian,N. A. “Study of the Association Between Exposure to Transuranic Radionuclides and Cancer Death,” PhD Dissertation, Idaho State University, 2008
Slide 25
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Distribution of Age at Death for USTUR Registrants
Source: Fallahian,N. A. “Study of the Association Between Exposure to Transuranic Radionuclides and Cancer Death,” PhD Dissertation, Idaho State University, 2008
2 5
18
52
10397
34
7
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70-80 80-90 90-100
Age at death (year)
Nu
mb
er o
f re
gis
tran
ts
Slide 26
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Estimated Distribution of Total Effective Dose Equivalent for Deceased USTUR Registrants
Source: Fallahian,N. A. “Study of the Association Between Exposure to Transuranic Radionuclides and Cancer Death,” PhD Dissertation, Idaho State University, 2008
0 1 14
14
39
55
72
34
11
4 2 00
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
T ota l effec tive dose equiva lent (mS v)
Nu
mb
er o
f d
ecea
sed
reg
istr
ants
Slide 27
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Recorded External Deep Dose Equivalent for Deceased USTUR Registrants
Source: Fallahian,N. A. “Study of the Association Between Exposure to Transuranic Radionuclides and Cancer Death,” PhD Dissertation, Idaho State University, 2008
2 2 28
23
61
105
127
42
3 00
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
E x terna l deep dose equiva lent (mS v)
Nu
mb
er o
f d
ecea
sed
reg
istr
ants
Slide 28
Malignant Neoplasms as Primary Cause of Death in USTUR Registrants(with Exposure Co-Factors): 1. ICD-10 Codes C02.9 – C20
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Case No. Source ICD-10 Site Fraction (85%)
Smoker Be Asbestos Toxic_Chem Solvents Benzene/Toluene
SEER 1975-2005
All Neoplasms Count = 111/317 35.0%0047 D C02.9 Tongue - - - - - - 0094 A C12 Hypopharynx 2.7% Y N Y Y Y - 1.9%0640 A C14.0 Pharynx Y N N N N - 0055 D C15.9 Esophagus - - - - - -0096 D C15.9 Esophagus 3.6% - - - - - - 2.5%0206 A C15.9 Esophagus - - - - - -0817 A C15.9 Esophagus Y Y Y Y Y Y0015 D C16.9 Stomach Y - - Y - Y 0030 D C16.9 Stomach 3.6% - N N N N N 3.0%0142 D C16.9 Stomach - - - - - - 0650 A C16.9 Stomach Y Y - Y Y - 0644 A C18.5 Colon Y N Y Y Y N 0183 D C18.9 Colon - N N N N N 0458 A C18.9 Colon 4.5% Y Y Y Y Y Y 0503 D C18.9 Colon N - - - - - 11.5%0325 A C18.9 Colon Y Y Y - Y -0095 D C19 Rectum - - - - - - 0260 D C19 Rectum 2.7% - - - - - - 0101 D C20 Rectum Y N N N N N
•SEER: Surveillance, Epidemiology & End Results - http://seer.cancer.gov/
Slide 29
Malignant Neoplasms as Primary Cause of Death in USTUR Registrants(with Exposure Co-Factors): 2. ICD-10 Codes C22 – C25.9
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Case No. Source ICD-10 Site Fraction Smoker Be Asbestos Toxic_Chem Solvents Benzene/
TolueneSEER
1975-2005
0262 D C22.0 Liver N Y - - - -
0306 A C22.1 Liver Y N N N Y N
0147 D C22.9 Liver 5.4% Y N N N N N 1.9%
0371 A C22.9 Liver Y N - Y Y -
0446 A C22.9 Liver Y Y Y N Y Y
1054 D C22.9 Liver - - - - - -
0054 D C24.1 Gallbladder 0.9% - - - - - - 0.3%
0099 D C25.0 Pancreas - - - - -
0104 A C25.0 Pancreas Y N N N N N
0461 A C25.2 Pancreas 4.5% Y N N N N N 4.9%
0341 A C25.9 Pancreas N Y N N N N
0846 D C25.9 Pancreas N Y - - N Y
Slide 30Malignant Neoplasms as Primary Cause of Death in USTUR Registrants(with Exposure Co-Factors): 3. ICD-10 Codes C34.1 – C41.4
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Case No. Source ICD-10 Site Fraction Smoker Be Asbestos Toxic_Chem Solvents Benzene/Toluene SEER 1975-20050240 A C34.1 Lung Y N N Y Y N 0255 A C34.1 Lung Y N Y Y Y N 0005 A C34.9 Lung Y - - - - - 0008 A C34.9 Lung Y N N N N N 0011 D C34.9 Lung Y - - - - - 0038 D C34.9 Lung Y - - - - - 0063 A C34.9 Lung N N N N N N 0064 A C34.9 Lung Y N N Y N N 0081 D C34.9 Lung Y - - - - - 0083 D C34.9 Lung - - - - - - 0091 D C34.9 Lung - - - - - - 0100 A C34.9 Lung Y N N N N N 0103 D C34.9 Lung - - - - - - 0149 A C34.9 Lung Y N N N - - 0161 D C34.9 Lung Y - - - - - 0185 D C34.9 Lung - - - - - - 0187 D C34.9 Lung Y - - - - - 0188 D C34.9 Lung - - - - - - 0197 D C34.9 Lung Y N - Y Y - 0203 D C34.9 Lung 31.5% - - - - - - 32.1%0205 A C34.9 Lung - - - - - - 0213 N C34.9 Lung Y N N N N N 0226 D C34.9 Lung Y N Y Y N - 0232 A C34.9 Lung - - - - - - 0247 A C34.9 Lung N N Y Y N - 0252 D C34.9 Lung Y N - Y Y - 0334 A C34.9 Lung Y Y Y Y Y N 0375 A C34.9 Lung Y - - - - - 0669 A C34.9 Lung Y N N N N N 0720 A C34.9 Lung Y Y N N N N 0727 A C34.9 Lung Y Y - Y Y - 0779 D C34.9 Lung Y - - - N - 0841 A C34.9 Lung Y N Y - Y - 1036 A C34.9 Lung Y - - Y - - 1065 A C34.9 Lung Y - Y - Y Y 1059 A C40.2 Bone 1.8% - - - - - - 0.2%0769 A C41.4 Bone - - - - - -
Slide 31
Malignant Neoplasms as Primary Cause of Death in USTUR Registrants(with Exposure Co-Factors): 4. ICD-10 Codes C43.6 – C63.9
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Case No. Source ICD-10 Site Fraction Smoker Be Asbestos Toxic_Chem Solvents Benzene/Toluene SEER 1975-2005
0158 A C43.6 Skin (Melanoma) - - - - - -
0041 D C43.9 Skin (Melanoma) 3.6% - - - - - - 1.3%
0102 D C43.9 Skin (Melanoma) Y N Y Y N -
0245 A C43.9 Skin (Melanoma) Y N Y Y N -
0084 D C45.0 Mesothelioma N - - - - -
0256 D C45.0 Mesothelioma Y Y Y Y Y -
0648 A C45.0 Mesothelioma 5.4% N Y Y Y Y - -
1040 D C45.0 Mesothelioma - N - Y Y -
0677 A C45.7 Mesothelioma N - - Y - -
0013 D C45.9 Mesothelioma N N N Y N N
0020 D C50.9 Breast 0.9% Y - - - - - -
0079 D C55 Uterus 0.9% Y N N N N N -
0022 D C61 Prostate Y N - Y N -
0058 D C61 Prostate - - - - - -
0189 D C61 Prostate Y - - - - -
0253 D C61 Prostate 6.3% - - - - - - 12.8%
0269 A C61 Prostate Y N N N N N
0425 A C61 Prostate N Y - - - -
0778 A C61 Prostate Y Y Y Y Y Y
1030 A C63.9 Penis 0.9% Y N N - N N 0.0%
Slide 32
Malignant Neoplasms as Primary Cause of Death in USTUR Registrants(with Exposure Co-Factors): 5. ICD-10 Codes C64 – D46.9
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Case No. Source ICD-10 Site Fraction Smoker Be Asbestos Toxic_Chem Solvents Benzene/
TolueneSEER
1975-20050092 D C64 Kidney - - - - - -0199 D C64 Kidney 2.7% - - - - - - 2.3%1007 A C64 Kidney Y - - Y - -0028 D C67.9 Bladder Y - - - - - 0106 A C67.9 Bladder 2.7% - - - - - - 3.5%0992 A C67.9 Bladder Y Y Y Y - - 0027 D C71.9 Brain - N N N N N0049 D C71.9 Brain - - - - - -0085 D C71.9 Brain - - - - - -0146 D C71.9 Brain 6.3% Y - - - - - 1.8%0216 D C71.9 Brain - - - - - -0228 D C71.9 Brain - - - - - -0107 A C72.4 Nervous System - - - - - -0156 D C78.5 Lung/Colon (Met) Y N - Y Y - -0044 D C79.0 Kidney (Met) - - - - - -0445 D C79.0 Kidney (Met) Y Y N N Y N0032 A C85.0 Lymphosarcoma 0.9% - N N N N N -1044 D C85.9 NH Lymphoma 0.9% Y Y - Y N - 3.4%0794 A C90.0 Multiple Myeloma 0.9% Y N N N Y - 1.7%0035 D C91.0 AL Leukemia 0.9% - - - - - - 0.1%0194 D C92.1 CM Leukemia 0.9% - - - - - - 0.4%
1001 D C95.0 AU Leukemia Thorotrast Injection (Female)
0274 A D45 Polycythaemia vera 0.9% Y - - Y - - -
0397 A D46.9 Myelodysplastic syndrome 0.9% Y N N N - - -
Slide 33
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Summary of Preliminary Findings on USTUR Registrants (Through 2008)
• No association found between exposure to transuranic radionuclides and malignant cancer as a primary (or secondary) cause of death (α = 0.05).
• Statistically significant associations found between cause of death due to any type of cancer and exposure to:- benzene or toluene (odds ratio = 5.71; 95% CI: 1.04 to 31.34)- smoking habit (odds ratio = 5.41; 95% CI: 1.42 to 20.67)- rate of cigarette smoking (odds ratio = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.37 to 5.30).
• Lung cancer deaths found to be related to exposure to:- chlorinated solvents (odds ratio = 10.85; 95% CI: 1.02 to 115.16)- duration of exposure to these materials (odds ratio = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.24).
Source: Fallahian,N. A. “Study of the Association Between Exposure to Transuranic Radionuclides and Cancer Death,” PhD Dissertation, Idaho State University, 2008
Slide 34
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
How Do We Determine Tissue Doses for Plutonium? – Example of USTUR Case 0262
• Worked as engineer at Hanford (1951-82).• Died 1990 – at age 71 y.• Cause of death:
- hepatocellular carcinoma with metastasis to diaphragm, lungs and liver (ICD-10 Code C22.0).
• At autopsy:- all major soft tissue organs harvested, including axillary lymph node (for radiochemistry and NHRTR sample storage);- Skin of both hands saved for histology/autoradiography;- Bones from half skeleton dissected out – for radiochemistry;- Contents of 238Pu, 239+240Pu, 241Am measured for all tissues/organs.
Slide 35
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Health Physics/Incident Data for USTUR Case 0262
• Two suspected Pu inhalation intakes (1956) – of nominally ‘fresh’ weapons grade material:- 1,834 days after starting Pu work, exposed to substantial airborne Pu concentration (no respirator);- 2 weeks later, both hands contaminated (10,000 dpm Pu);- Inhalation intakes from both incidents indicated by measurable Pu α-activity in prompt urine sample – subsequent samples negative (i.e., < 0.025 dpm per 24-h sample).
• Third Pu intake occurred about 500 d later – by puncture wound of left thumb (broken drill bit through glove) while working in glove box:- No general airborne release;- Initial count rate (α-probe) from contaminated wound surface 500 cpm.
Slide 36
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
“Biokinetic” Model for Wound/Inhalation Plutonium Uptake and Tissue Retention
Source: James, A.C., et al. “USTUR Whole Body Case 0262: 33-y Follow-up of PuO2 in a Skin Wound and Associated Axillary Node.” Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 127: 114-119 (2007)
Slide 37
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Measured and “Modeled” Excretion of 239Pu in Urine for Case 0262
Source: James, A.C., et al. “USTUR Whole Body Case 0262: 33-y Follow-up of PuO2 in a Skin Wound and Associated Axillary Node.” Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 127: 114-119 (2007)
Slide 38
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Measured and “Modeled” 239Pu Content of Tissues (At Autopsy)for Case 0262
Source: James, A.C., et al. “USTUR Whole Body Case 0262: 33-y Follow-up of PuO2 in a Skin Wound and Associated Axillary Node.” Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 127: 114-119 (2007)
Slide 39
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Use “Modeled” Biokinetics (Intake and Absorption Behavior) to Calculate Equivalent Dose Received by Liver in Each Year (After Intakes)
Slide 40
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
NIOSH-IREP “Probability of Causation” Software - on the Web
Slide 41
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Run Calculated Annual Equivalent Doses Through “Interactive RadioEpidemiological Program” (NIOSH-IREP) – as Done for EEOICPA
Slide 42
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
NIOSH-IREP “Probability of Causation” Results – Case 0262
Legal Standard
EEOICPA Standard
Slide 43
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Percent Contribution of Various Sources of Exposure to the Average Annual Effective Dose to Each U.S. Person for 2006 (6.2 mSv)
Source: NCRP Report No. 160, "Ionizing Radiation Exposure of the Population of the United States" can be found at http://www.ncrponline.org/PDFs/Elec_prepub_160.pdf.
Slide 44
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Average Annual Equivalent Doses to U.S. Adults From Natural Radionuclides of the Uranium and Thorium Series Incorporated in the Body
Source: NCRP Report No. 160, "Ionizing Radiation Exposure of the Population of the United States" can be found at http://www.ncrponline.org/PDFs/Elec_prepub_160.pdf.
HT (µSv)
wT
wT HT
(µSv)Tissue , T 238/234U 230Th 226Ra 210Pb/210Po 232Th 228/224Ra Sum
Bone
surfaces 8.48 3.23 107 250 0.59 53.2 423 0.01 4.2
Lunga 17.2 6.40 4.85 88.5 7.07 62.9 187 0.12 22.4
Kidney 7.73 4.08 4.85 242 1.40 9.44 269 0.0092 2.5
Liver 2.76 4.32 4.85 504 1.20 9.60 527 0.04 21.1
Other 1.45 0.84 4.87 59.1 0.75 1.98 69.0 0.70 48.3
Bone
marrow2.68 66.5 13.9 101 41.1 8.68 234 0.12 28.0
E 126.6aExcluding 222Rn, 220Rn and their short-lived decay products.
Slide 45
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Frequency Distribution of “Natural Background” Annual Effective Dose (mSv) for Members of the U.S. Population
Ubiquitous Background Doses to the US Population (303,631,185 as of 2008 March 14)
0
5,000,000
10,000,000
15,000,000
20,000,000
25,000,000
30,000,000
35,000,000
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
E (mSv y-1
)
Num
ber
of A
mer
ican
s .
2.3 million > 20 mSv y–1
Average = 3.06 mSv y–1
Median = 1.99 mSv y–1
Source: NCRP Report No. 160, "Ionizing Radiation Exposure of the Population of the United States" can be found at http://www.ncrponline.org/PDFs/Elec_prepub_160.pdf.
Slide 46
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Frequency Distribution of “Natural Background” Annual Effective Dose (mSv) for Members of the U.S. Population – c.f. USTUR Registrants
Ubiquitous Background Doses to the US Population (303,631,185 as of 2008 March 14)
0
5,000,000
10,000,000
15,000,000
20,000,000
25,000,000
30,000,000
35,000,000
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
E (mSv y-1
)
Num
ber
of A
mer
ican
s .
2.3 million > 20 mSv y–1
Average = 3.06 mSv y–1
Median = 1.99 mSv y–1
Approximate range of “occupational” dose
Average 10 mSv/y (< 0.1 to 200 mSv/y)
Slide 47
Plutonium Already in the Environment
Source: Taylor, R. N., et al. “Plutonium Isotope Ratio Analysis at Femtogram to Nanogram Levels by Multicollector ICP-MS.” J. Anal. At. Spectrum 16, 279-284 (2001)
Slide 48
Isotopic Signature in Environmental Plutonium
0.1
0.12
0.14
0.16
0.18
0.2
1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985
Deposition Date
24
0P
u/2
39P
u
Source: Ketterer, M. E. “ICP-MS Studies of Plutonium in the Environment.” In: Application of ICP & ICP-MS Techniques for Today’s Spectroscopist.” (November, 2005)
Slide 49
Isotopic Signature in USTUR Tissue Samples
USTUR: Learning from Plutonium and Uranium Workers
Slide 50
What About “Deadly Plutonium”
• In a follow-up of several dozen Los Alamos workers with plutonium intakes (mostly via contaminated wounds), one osteosarcoma of the pelvis was observed.
• However, if plutonium had been used instead of radium in the dial-painting industry, no cancers would have been observed, due to extremely low absorption (0.001%) from the gastrointestinal tract.
Toohey, R. E. Available at http://www.ustur.wsu.edu/Radium/files/SagaOfRaDPs.pdf
Slide 51
• As for all other internally-incorporated radionuclides, the health effects of plutonium depend purely on the amount of plutonium in the tissues – i.e., on the amount of radiation DOSE delivered to the tissues.
• Very small amounts of plutonium – as already present in everyone (worldwide) have NEGLIGIBLE TO ZERO effect on human health.
• It is hard to imagine any (realistic) exposure scenario that would lead to SIGNIFICANT intake of plutonium by members of the public from WELL MANAGED operations at the Hanford Site (or other clean-up sites).
• Any SIGNIFICANT HEALTH HAZARD from plutonium would fall on WORKERS involved in HANDLING concentrated sources of plutonium.
• It is imperative that CAREFUL AND COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT of all plutonium clean-up work be maintained – to PROTECT WORKERS.
• PLUTONIUM IS NOT THE MOST TOXIC SUBSTANCE KNOWN TO MAN!• DON’T IGNORE “INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE” – CHEMICAL TOXINS! They are
likely to pose a bigger “real” risk.
Conclusions – Plutonium “Toxicity”
RAP/HSEP Joint Committee Meeting, Jan 8th, 2009 - James
Slide 52
RAP/HSEP Joint Committee Meeting, Jan 8th, 2009 - James
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