Therapeutic Removal of Internally Deposited Transuranium Elements

Abstract

Treatment for the accidental incorporation of the transuranic elements is mainly dependent on chelation therapy. Most of the therapeutic experience has evolved, justifiably, for the removal of plutonium. The plutonium therapeutic regimens may serve as a rough guide to the treatment of other transuranides, although, quantitatively, dissimilarities based on chemical and incorporated mass differences are to be expected. With the added complication of the biological disposition of the daughter products and the high specific activities of some of the isotopes, any significant incorporation should be treated, and treated promptly.While progress in the treatment of plutonium has been slow, a better understanding of removal from specific tissues, such as liver, bone and lung, for soluble and insoluble plutonium materials, is being achieved. The brightest spot is the ability to remove about half the inhaled particulates, plutonium or other transuranics, from the lung by lung washing. Coupled with the judicious use of chelation therapy this should significantly reduce the hazard from inhaled transuranics.These and other aspects of the treatment for poisoning by the transuranic elements will be discussed.

Assessment of Dose to the Nursing Infant from Radionuclides in Breast Milk

“…The biokinetics of californium has been studied in mice, rats, Chinese and Syrian hamsters, and beagles (Parker et al, 1962;Mewhinney et al, 1971Mewhinney et al, , 1972Lloyd et al, 1972Lloyd et al, , 1976Smith, 1972;Atherton and Lloyd, 1972;Bruenger et al, 1972;Stevens and Bruenger, 1972;Taylor et al, 1972;Durbin, 1973;Graham et al, 1978). Species differences have been observed.…”

Reliability of Current Biokinetic and Dosimetric Models for Radionuclides: A Pilot Study

“…The biokinetics of californium has been studied in mice, rats, Chinese and Syrian hamsters, and beagles (Parker et al, 1962;Mewhinney et al, 1971Mewhinney et al, , 1972Lloyd et al, 1971Lloyd et al, , 1972Lloyd et al, , 1974Smith, 1972;Atherton and Lloyd, 1972;Bruenger et al, 1972;Stevens and Bruenger, 1972;Taylor et al, 1972;Durbin, 1973;Graham et al, 1978). Species differences have been observed.…”

Investigation of the retention and distribution of americium-241 in the baboon and the enhanced removal of americium-241 from the body by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)

“…Several occurances of human exposure to Am with subsequent measurable 241 amounts of the nuclide deposited in the body have been reported (Smith 1972). …”

“…DTPA, in particular, has become the treatment of choice in cases of contamination by some actinides and rare earth elements (Smith 1972).…”