Medical treatment - DOE-HDBK-1145-2001

Radiological Safety Training for Plutonium Facilities

DOEHDBK11452001

Instructor's Guide

Once in the bloodstream (whether inhaled or

injected), plutonium will distribute to certain target

organs, such as bone surfaces, the liver, and, to a

lesser extent, the gonads. After plutonium reaches

these organs, it is eliminated extremely slowly

through the feces and urine. The biological half-life

of plutonium is 170-180 years. Biological half-life is

the time required for the body to eliminate one-half

of the uptake.

4-6 MeV

Because plutonium may remain in the body for

a long time and the alpha energy is fairly high,

target organs can receive large (greater than 50

rem) doses over time.

C. Medical treatment

1. Chelation therapy

Show OT 22.

Chelation therapy is recommended for

plutonium inhalation. It is also recommended

for injections through wounds, and excision may

also be necessary.

Refer students to

handout

Chelating agents are drugs that increase the

LL 3.

solubility of plutonium and enhance the body's

Discuss (optional)

ability to eliminate it through the urine.

DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) is

generally more effective than other chelating

agents. It is not a new drug and has been used

on hundreds of individuals. However, because

there is no commercial use for DTPA, it is

categorized as an Investigational New Drug

(IND). Because it is an IND, a consent form

must be signed prior to administering it.

There are two primary types of DTPA: calcium- Show OT 23.

DTPA (Ca-DTPA) and zinc-DTPA (Zn-DTPA).

Ca-DTPA is more effective than Zn-DTPA in the

first 24 hours. Because it depletes more of the

heavy metals in the body (such as iron or zinc),

it is not recommended for long-term treatment.