In vitro dissolution study of plutonium in aerosol particles from the Mayak PA: a tool for individualised dose estimates

Abstract

Chronic inhalation of Pu particles during Mayak processing is a potential concern for workers. Of the many particle properties that affect individualised dose estimates, particle solubility in lung fluids can be most important. This study compares in vitro dissolution rates of several plutonium industrial compounds present at different stages of the Mayak processing cycle using three different solvents. The results are then used to develop values of absorption parameters for individual dose assessments. In this study, the dissolution rates of nitrate, oxide and mixed plutonium aerosols were determined using a serum ultrafiltrate stimulant (SUF), phagolysosomal simulant fluid and Ringer's solution, all using a static system. According to the results obtained with SUF, Pu nitrate is absorbed into the blood to a larger extent than predicted using model parameters currently applied for Mayak workers. Absorption into the blood of 21.5 vs. 3% of deposited nuclide as current model predicts results in underestimation of systemic burden and overestimation of the lung dose. These data are being used to provide improved retrospective dose assessments for inhaled plutonium aerosols.