Treatment and Evaluation of a Plutonium-238 Nitrate Contaminated Puncture Wound

Abstract
Plutonium-238 nitrate was accidentally deposited in a puncture wound of the right index finger of an employee at the Savannah River Plant Radiochemical Separations Facility in November 1968. A comprehensive treatment and evaluation program was initiated immediately and has continued for more than 2 yr. Postaccident treatment included immediate use of a venous tourniquet; flushing and decontaminating the wound site; excising tissue; and administering chelating agents (intravenously, orally and by aerosol inhalation). The plutonium injection and assimilation was assessed by wound monitoring; whole-body counting; and an extensive biosassay program (blood, urine and feces). The plutonium body burden is estimated to be 31 nCi, but complications were encountered in making this estimate because of the use of chelating agents and the lack of information about the movement of plutonium nitrate from the wound site.