Plutonium poisoning

The large and widespread production of plutonium in nuclear power stations combined with its high radiotoxicity has caused great public concern about "plutonium poisoning". Consequently, the spread of plutonium in the environment has been extensively studied for several decades. The results have been reported in journals and more recently in a number of monographs and conference proceedings (e.g. L- 7). ... 

The body excretes the lead complex, and the Ca remains as a nutrient. A similar method can be used to rid the body of radioactive isotopes, as in the treatment of plutonium poisoning. 

Because of the high rate of emission of alpha particles and the element being specifically absorbed on bone the surface and collected in the liver, plutonium, as well as all of the other transuranium elements except neptunium, are radiological poisons and must be handled with very special equipment and precautions. Plutonium is a very dangerous radiological hazard. Precautions must also be taken to prevent the unintentional formulation of a critical mass. Plutonium in liquid solution is more likely to become critical than solid plutonium. The shape of the mass must also be considered where criticality is concerned. 

But if we accept that plutonium is chemically toxic, then we must also recognize that the extent of its toxicity will depend on how the plutonium is bonded chemically, i.e. in what redox and chemical form it is present. As an example, note how soldiers were poisoned with chlorine gas during the First World War (when it was called Mustard Gas), but chloride in table salt is vital for life. Some plutonium compounds are more toxic than others. 

On September 13, 1944, the Hanford Site started the B Reactor. For approximately 1 hour all went well, but the reactor malfunctioned as a result of fission product poisons. On December 17, 1944, the Hanford Site D reactor was started and the B reactor was repaired and restarted. Large-scale plutonium production was under way. On February 25, 1945, the Hanford F Reactor was started. With these three reactors operating simultaneously, the theoretical plutonium production capacity was approximately 21 kilograms per month. 

All compounds as well as metallic uranium are radioactive—some more so than others. The main hazard from radioactive isotopes is radiation poisoning. Of course, another potential hazard is using fissionable isotopes of uranium and plutonium for other than peaceful purposes, but such purposes involve pohtical decisions, not science. 

Plutonium is by far one of the most toxic radioactive poisons known. The metal, its alloys, and its compounds must be handled in a shielded and enclosed glove box that contains an inert argon atmosphere. It is a carcinogen that can cause radiation poisoning leading to death. 

Fuel reprocessing has three objectives (a) to recover U or Pu from the spent fuel for reuse as a nuclear reactor fuel or to render the waste less hazardous, (b) to remove fission products from the actinides to lessen short-term radioactivity problems and in the case of recycle of the actinides, to remove reactor poisons, and (c) to convert the radioactive waste into a safe form for storage. Fuel reprocessing was/is important in the production of plutonium for weapons use. 

Plutonium presents particular problems in its study. One reason is that, since Pu is a strong o -emitter (ti = 24,100 years) and also tends to accumulate in bone and liver, it is a severe radiological poison and must be handled with extreme care. A further problem is that the accidental formation of a critical mass must be avoided. 

Plutonium-239 is the fissionable isotope produced in breeder reactors it is also produced in ordinary nuclear plants and in weapons tests. It is an extremely poisonous substance with a half-life of 24,100 years. 

Phosphoric Acid Phosphorus Photoallergens Photochemical Oxidants Phthalate Ester Plasticizers Physical Hazards Picloram Picric Acid Piperazine Piperonyl Butoxide "Plants, Poisonous" Platinum (Pt) Plutonium (Pu) Poinsettia Poisoning Emergencies in Humans Pokeweed Pollutant Release and Transfer Registries (PRTRs) Pollution Prevention Act "Pollution, Air" "Pollution, Air Indoor" "Pollution, Soil" "Pollution, Water" Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)... 

The most widely used polyaminecarboxylic acid used for chelation therapy of plutonium and americium poisoning is the higher homologue... 

It is is the third most toxic substance known after plutonium and botulism it is a protein toxin that is extracted from the castor bean (Ricinus communis). The USA Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers 500 pg to be the lethal dose of ricin in humans if exposure is from injection or inhalation. Ricin is poisonous if inhaled, injected, or ingested, acting by the inhibition of protein synthesis. While there is no known antidote, the US military has developed a vaccine. 

T. S. Szasz, Patriotic poisoners, Flumanist, 36 5-7 (November-December), 1976. See also]. D. Moreno, Undue Risk E. Welsome, The Plutonium Files and Associated Press, Test drugs OK d for mentally ill, New York Times, November 29, 1999, Internet edition. 

The BamweU plant of AUied-General provides an example of use of soluble poison. There it is proposed that 5.6 g natural gadolinium, as nitrate, per liter be added to the nitric acid solvent. At the design concentrations of plutonium and uranium in dissolver solution, this will prevent criticality even with fully enriched (Prob. 10.1). 

Prevention of criticality. Because the plutonium content of feed to this LMFBR solvent extraction flow sheet is 10 times that of the Barnwell plant. Sec. 4.14, extra precautions must be taken to prevent criticality in the dissolver the HA, HS, HC, and lA contactors and the plutonium reduction reactor. Addition of sufficient soluble poison to the feed will prevent criticality in the dissolver, feed adjustment tanks, and centrifugal HA contactors. The other sections of the plant processing plutonium must either have small enough dimensions to be... 

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