July 1999 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Plutonium |
(Plutonio) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about plutonium. For more information,
you may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737.
This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous
substances and their health effects. This information is important
because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure
to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration,
how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether
other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Plutonium is a
radioactive material that does not occur naturally to
any extent, but is produced in nuclear reactors. It has
been found to cause lung, liver, and bone cancer in animals.
This chemical has been found in at least 5 of the 1,177
National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). |
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What
is plutonium? |
Plutonium is a silvery white metal that
exists as a solid under normal conditions. It is produced
when uranium absorbs an atomic particle. Trace amounts of
plutonium occur naturally, but large amounts have been produced
in nuclear reactors. Trace levels of plutonium can be found
in the environment, from past nuclear bomb tests, in several
forms called isotopes. The most common plutonium isotopes
are plutonium-238 and plutonium-239.
Plutonium undergoes radioactive decay.
In this decay process, energy is released and a new product
is formed. The energy released is called radiation. When plutonium
decays, it divides into two parts-a small part that is called
"alpha" radiation and a large part called a daughter. The
daughter is also radioactive, and it, too, continues to decay
until a nonradioactive daughter is formed. During these decay
processes, three types of radiation are released-alpha, beta,
and gamma. Alpha particles can travel only a short distance
and cannot travel through your skin. Beta particles can penetrate
through your skin, but they cannot go all the way through
your body. Gamma radiation can go all the way through your
body.
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What
happens to plutonium when it enters the environment? |
- Trace amounts of plutonium are found naturally in uranium-rich
ores. Most is made in special nuclear reactors.
- It may also enter the environment from releases from nuclear
reactors, weapons production plants, and research facilities.
- A major source of plutonium is releases from nuclear weapons
testing.
- Plutonium may enter surface water from accidental releases
and disposal of radioactive wastes.
- Soil may become contaminated with plutonium from fallout
from nuclear weapons testing.
- Plutonium can move slowly from soil into the groundwater.
- Low levels may be absorbed by plants.
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How
might I be exposed to plutonium? |
- Everyone is exposed to very low levels of plutonium in
air.
- Very low levels may be found in drinking water and food.
- Exposure to higher levels could occur from an accidental
release during its use, transport, or disposal.
- Workers at nuclear facilities using plutonium may be exposed
to higher levels of it.
- People who live near facilities that use plutonium in
their operations may be exposed to it from releases to the
air.
- It may also be found at radioactive waste disposal sites.
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How
can plutonium affect my health? |
Plutonium has not been shown to cause
adverse health effects in people. Animal studies have shown
lung diseases from short-term exposure to high concentrations
of plutonium. Animal studies have also shown effects on the
blood, liver, bone, and immune system from plutonium exposure.
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How
likely is plutonium to cause cancer? |
Studies in people have found no cancer
from plutonium. Animal studies have reported an increase in
lung, liver, and bone cancers from exposure to plutonium.
The Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC),
and the EPA have not classified plutonium for carcinogenicity.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to plutonium? |
There are tests available that can measure
the amount of plutonium in a urine sample, even at very low
levels. These measurements can be used to estimate the total
amount of plutonium that is in the body. However, these measurements
cannot be used to determine the levels to which the person
was exposed or to predict the potential for health effects.
There are also tests to measure plutonium in body organs,
feces, bones, and milk. These tests require special equipment
and cannot be routinely done in a doctor's office.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
The EPA has set a drinking water limit
of 15 picocuries per liter (15 pCi/L) for gross alpha particle
activity.
The EPA has also set a drinking water
limit of 4 millirems per year (4 mrem/yr) for beta and
gamma radiation.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
has set a radiation dose limit for individual members of the
public for all sources of radiation of 0.5 rem per year (0.5
rem/yr).
The federal recommendations have been
updated as of July 1999.
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Glossary |
Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer.
CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service.
Millirem (mrem): A unit used to measure
radiation dose (one thousandth of a rem).
National Priorities List: A list of the
nation's worst hazardous waste sites.
Picocurie (pCi): A unit used to measure
the amount of radioactive material.
rem: A unit used to measure radiation
dose.
Short-term: Lasting 14 days or less.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1990. Toxicological Profile for plutonium. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
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Where can I get more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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