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Intrahepatic distribution of plutonium in beagles

Journal Article · · Radiat. Res.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3575304· OSTI ID:6700239
Beagle dogs were exposed by inhalation to a /sup 238/PuO/sub 2/ aerosol or by intravenous injection to /sup 238/Pu or /sup 239/Pu-citrate and the distribution of Pu in liver was measured (t = 64-1553 days) after exposure. Random distribution of plutonium at early times after exposure was changed to clustering of activity at times beyond 2 years after inhalation exposure. The distribution of Pu in liver at the cellular level from high levels of Pu exposure was not the same as that at lower levels of exposure such as those most likely to be encountered by man. Particles were found in liver sections of animals that died by 1350 days after exposure by inhalation to a mean initial lung burden of 0.97 ..mu..Ci/kg body wt. This indicated that for high initial lung burdens, particle transfer can occur. At low levels of exposure, distributions of plutonium deposited in liver after translocation from lung and after intravenous injection were similar for at least 4 months after exposure.
Research Organization:
Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Inst., Albuquerque, NM
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76EV01013
OSTI ID:
6700239
Journal Information:
Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 84:2; ISSN RAREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English