Systemic burden and body burden of Pu in man: comparison of results from bioassay and autopsy

A case of plutonium deposition in man within the range of 190 Bq by inhalation from about 12 yr ago is reported. An estimate of systemic burden was made based on analyses of urine and faeces and the models of Langham, Beach/Dolphin, and Durbin while the individual was alive. This estimate was compared with autopsy findings (spleen, thyroid, blood, lung, pulmonary and tracheobronchial lymph nodes, liver, skeleton). According to autopsy findings, the systemic burden (mainly liver and skeleton) had been overestimated by a factor of 11-16, the body burden (whole body) by a factor of 6-9.