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Forecasting the In Vivo Behavior of Radiocontaminants of Unknown Physicochemical Properties Using a Simple In Vitro
N M Griffiths1, S Coudert, A Moureau
1*Laboratoire de RadioToxicologie, CEA/DRF/iRCM, Bruyères-le-Châtel, 91297 Arpajon, France; †AREVA, Direction Santé, Paris-La Défense, France.
Health Physics
|June 30, 2016
Summary
A new gel test predicts radiocontaminant bioavailability, crucial for treating plutonium and americium exposure. Americium nitrate was more bioavailable than plutonium nitrate, while oxides showed low bioavailability.
Area of Science:
- Radiochemistry
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Accurate assessment of radiocontaminant bioavailability is essential for effective medical treatment and dose calculation following nuclear incidents.
- Disseminated radioactive elements, such as plutonium and americium, pose significant health risks requiring predictive models for their behavior in biological systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a simple in vitro test to predict the bioavailability of different actinide forms.
- To simulate biological compartments and physiological media to assess radionuclide transfer and inform treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Immobilization of plutonium (Pu) or americium (Am) nitrate or uranium-plutonium dioxide (MOX) in a static gel phase simulating biological compartments.
- Incubation of gels in a fluid phase representing physiological media (plasma, sweat, lysosomal fluid, saline) to measure radionuclide transfer.
- Varied incubation conditions, including pH, serum presence, extracellular matrix elements, and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) concentrations.
Main Results:
- Americium nitrate showed significantly higher transfer (70%) than plutonium nitrate (15%) in physiological saline after 48 hours.
- Actinide transfer from oxide forms (U,PuO2) was markedly lower (1% Am, 0.05% Pu).
- Acidic conditions (pH 4) increased transfer, while serum and extracellular matrix components reduced it; DTPA significantly enhanced actinide transfer.
Conclusions:
- The developed agarose gel test provides a valuable tool for predicting in vivo radiocontaminant bioavailability.
- This method supports the development of tailored medical treatments and aids in medical forensic investigations involving actinide exposure.
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