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Bioassay of Transplutonium Elements

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Uranium · Plutonium Transplutonic Elements

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Abstract

Since the beginning of the atomic age the overriding concern in bioassay programs has been the detection of uranium and plutonium. These nuclides have presented the chief danger of internal contamination of workers in the atomic energy industry. The irradiation of uranium and plutonium produces transplutonium elements amounting to only a few percent of the target material. These elements have, therefore, constituted a relatively small hazard incidental to the far greater danger of contamination from uranium and plutonium. Indeed, concern for the transplutonium elements as potential hazards to workers was first engendered by reports of accidental contamination with americium by Foreman et al. (1958), and by Dobson (1955), and Rowland et al. (1955). The case reported by Foreman received his exposure by inhalation. He was treated with a chelating agent (EDTA) and retention of americium was evaluated by radiochemical analysis of excreta, which was carried on for several years. The case reported by Dobson and the Rowland group received his exposure by puncture wound, and is believed to be the first instance in which both radiochemical analysis of excreta and whole body counting were used to measure retention of the isotope.

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  1. Anne De G. Low-Beer
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of California, 94122, San Francisco, California, USA

    Harold C. Hodge

  2. Department of Radiation Biology and Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 14642, Rochester, New York, USA

    John B. Hursh  & J. Newell Stannard  & 

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Low-Beer, A.D.G. (1973). Bioassay of Transplutonium Elements. In: Hodge, H.C., Hursh, J.B., Stannard, J.N. (eds) Uranium · Plutonium Transplutonic Elements. Handbuch der experimentellen Pharmakologie / Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 36. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-65551-7_20

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