Health considerations for workers exposed to plutonium

It is interesting to observe that today the discussions, public concerns, and legal battles over health risks presented by Pu are not only vigorous but also accelerating. Our knowledge of the biochemistry, pathophysiology, dosimetry, and radiobiology of Pu has increased enormously during the intervening 45+ years since the first experiments. For the first time in the history of science and industry, extensive epidemiologic studies are being conducted on the majority of all people in this country who have worked with a material since its introduction and before anyone has had any known acute or chronic illness from exposure to it.