The Biological Problems in the Radiological Protection of Workers Exposed to 239Pu

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Abstract
Plutonium is a valuable energy source and industrialized countries cannot afford to ignore its use, although it is a very toxic substance. The object of this paper is to review some of the biological problems associated with the protection of workers exposed to Pu. In order to make this review, it is necessary to discuss the present knowledge on Pu metabolism and the gross pathology produced by its incorporation in the body. Most of this knowledge comes from animal experiments, but there are some pathological findings in humans, particularly chromosome aberrations in workers with a long history of Pu exposure, and these are discussed in the paper. An important biological problem concerns the choice of critical organ and the appropriate (MPC)a for control of the environment. Soluble and insoluble Pu is considered and a single value of (MPC)a, 10−11 μCi/cm3, is suggested for all compounds. A discussion is given of the biological problems associated with estimating, by means of urinary excretion measurements, the amount of Pu transferred from the site of entry to the body. Finally, a short comment is made on the treatment of over exposure cases.

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