Treatment of radiological contamination: a review

Abstract

After nuclear accidents, people can be contaminated internally via ingestion, inhalation and via intact skin or wounds. The assessment of absorbed, committed doses after internal exposure is based on activity measurement by in vivo or in vitro bioassay. Estimation of dose following internal contamination is dependent on understanding the nature and form of the radionuclide. Direct counting methods that directly measure γ-rays coming from within the body or bioassay methods that measure the amount of radioactive materials in urine or feces are used to estimate the intake, which is required for calculating internal exposure doses. The interpretation of these data in terms of intake and the lifetime committed dose requires knowledge or making assumptions about a number of parameters (time, type of exposure, route of the exposure, physical, biological and chemical characteristics) and their biokinetics inside the body. Radioactive materials incorporated into the body emit radiation within the body. Accumulation in some specific organs may occur depending on the types of radioactive materials. Decorporation therapy is that acceleration of the natural rate of elimination of the contaminant will reduce the amount of radioactivity retained in the body. This article presents an overview of treatment of radiological contamination after internal contamination.

Synthesis, Characterization and Application of DTPA-Modified Chitosan Hydrogel Dressing for Early Decontamination of Radioactive Contamination in Wounds

“…Common decontaminants for radionuclides in skin wounds include chelating agents, adsorbents and nanoemulsions, among others. ,,, However, these products mainly target specific nuclides and are mostly in liquid form, generating large amounts of radioactive wastewater that is difficult to collect and treat, thereby causing secondary radioactive pollution. Hence, they are less usable in situations with numerous casualties.…”

“…In the aftermath of such accidents, individuals may become contaminated through ingestion, inhalation and absorption via intact skin or wounds. 4 Open wounds and the surrounding tissue are continuously irradiated by radionuclides, and damaged skin absorbs radioactive materials at a heightened rate compared with intact skin. Therefore, radioactive materials easily enter the bloodstream and are transferred to tissues and vital organs, such as the liver, kidneys and bones, 5−7 posing substantial threats to human health.…”

“…The rapid advancement and extensive application of nuclear technology, coupled with the potential use of nuclear weapons, have escalated the risks of radioactive accidents and nuclear warfare disasters. − Radionuclide contamination following nuclear accidents has emerged as an undeniable concern. In the aftermath of such accidents, individuals may become contaminated through ingestion, inhalation and absorption via intact skin or wounds . Open wounds and the surrounding tissue are continuously irradiated by radionuclides, and damaged skin absorbs radioactive materials at a heightened rate compared with intact skin.…”

Enhancing radioprotection: A chitosan-based chelating polymer is a versatile radioprotective agent for prophylactic and therapeutic interventions against radionuclide contamination

“…Exposure to and uptake of such contaminants can occur by various means during a nuclear incident, such as ingestion, inhalation, skin absorption, or exposure through open wounds [ 4 ]. Currently, the FDA has approved only three compounds (only one of which is used as a preventative therapy) for the treatment of exposure to specific radioactive elements, including iodine (potassium iodide, KI; approved in 1978 as a preventive therapy for the thyroid), cesium (Prussian blue; approved in 2003), and plutonium and americium (Zn-DTPA and Ca-DTPA; approved in 2004).…”