Case study: three acute 241Am inhalation exposures with DTPA therapy.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Radiological Protection
• Internal Contamination Management

Background:

• Accidental inhalation exposure to americium-241 (Am) oxide occurred during waste handling activities.
• Prompt identification and intervention are crucial for managing internal radioactive contamination.

Observation:

• Three workers showed significant lung deposition of Am following inhalation exposure.
• In-vivo bioassays and bioassays of urine and fecal samples confirmed internal Am contamination.
• Medical evaluations and clinical lab tests remained within normal limits for all exposed individuals.

Findings:

• Chelation therapy using DTPA was initiated for the exposed workers.
• Lung retention of Am was observed to have longer clearance half-times than standard models.
• Therapy effectiveness factors ranged from 1.7 to 4.5, indicating successful reduction of internal Am burden.

Implications:

• DTPA chelation therapy is effective in reducing internal Am burdens.
• Standard models for Am lung clearance may underestimate retention times.
• This case underscores the need for robust monitoring and individualized treatment protocols in occupational radiological protection.