Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

Hazards of plutonium with special reference to the skeleton

Abstract

In the past attempts have been made to deduce plutonium toxicity in man from studies based on animal experimentation. An alternative method is to use the comparative dosimetry of plutonium and radium in man, with results broadly in agreement with maximum permissible levels set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Seaborg, G. T., in Radiobiology of Plutonium (edit. by Stover, B. J. and Jee, W. S. S.), 1–21 (J. W. Press, Salt Lake City, 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Finkel, A. J., Miller, C. E., and Hasterlik, R. J., in Delayed Effects of Bone Seeking Radionuclides (edit. by Mays, C. W., et al.), 195–225 (University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rowland, R. E., Failla, P. M., Keane, A. T., and Stehney, A. F., in Argonne natn. Lab. Rep. ANL 7760, Part II, 1–17 (1969–70); ibid 7860, Part II, 1–8 (1970–71).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Rep. UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, 2, 392 (United Nations, New York, 1972).

  5. International Commission on Radiological Protection, in A Review of the Radiosensitivity of the Tissues in Bone, Publ. No. 11 (Pergamon, Oxford, 1968).

  6. Loutit, J. F., and Vaughan, J., Br. J. Radiol., 44, 815 (1971).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Jee, W. S. S., in Research in Radiobiology, COO 119 249, 24–39 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bensted, J. P. M., Taylor, D. M., and Sowby, F. D., Br. J. Radiol., 38, 920–925 (1965).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Moskalev, Y. I., Strettsova, V. N., and Buldakov, L. A., in Delayed Effects of Bone Seeking Radionuclides (edit. by Mays, C. W. et al.), 489–509 (University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Finkel, M. P., and Biskis, B. O., Health Phys., 8, 565–579 (1962).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Hempelmann, L. H., Richmond, C. R., and Voelz, G. L., Los Alamos Sci. Lab. Rep., LA 5148 MS, Informal Rep. UC 41 and 48 (1973).

  12. BEIR Rep., 128 (National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, Washington, DC, 1972).

  13. Argonne natn. Lab. A. Rep. ANL 8060, 289–333 (1972–73).

  14. Martland, H. S., Am. J. Cancer, 15, 2435–2516 (1931).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Loutit, J. F., Br. J. Cancer, 24, 195–207 (1970).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Langham, W. H., Bassett, S. H., Harris, P. S., and Carter, R. E., Los Alamos Sci. Lab. Rep., LA 1151 (1950).

  17. Morrow, P. E., et al., Health Phys., 13, 113–133 (1967).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Vaughan, J., Bleaney, B., and Williamson, M., Br. J. Haem., 13, 492–502 (1967).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Rosenthal, M. W., and Lindenbaum, A., in Delayed Effects of Bone Seeking Radionuclides (edit. by Mays, C. W., et al.), 489–509 (University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Buldakov, L. H., Lyubchanskii, E. R., Moskalev, Y. I., and Nifatov, A. P., LF-tr-41 UC-48 (Atom Publications, Moscow, 1970).

  21. Bleaney, B., and Vaughan, J., Br. J. Radiol., 44, 67–73 (1971).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. International Commission on Radiological Protection in Report on Metabolism of Plutonium and Related Elements and Compounds (Pergamon, Oxford, 1972).

  23. Rep. UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, 2, 383 (United Nations, New York, 1972).

  24. Spiers, F. W., Br. J. Radiol., 47, 833–844 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Marshall, J. R., and Lloyd, E., in Radionuclide Carcinogenesis, AEC Symp. Series 29, Conf. 720505 421–436 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Rowland, R. E., Keane, A. T., and Lucas, H. F., in Radionuclide Carcinogenesis, AEC Symp. Series 29, Conf. 720505 406–420 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  27. International Commission on Radiological Protection, in Rep. Committee II on Permissible Dose for Internal Radiation, 3 (Pergamon, New York, 1959).

  28. Whitwell, J. R., and Spiers, F. W., in Proc. Fifth Cong. French Soc. for Radiation Protection, Grenoble, 401 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  29. Whitwell, J. R., and Spiers, F. W., Phys. Med. Biol., 21, 16–38 (1976).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Darley, P. J., in Proc. Symp. Microdosimetry, EAEC Publication EUR 3747, d-f-e, 509–526 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  31. Chariton, D. E., and Cormack, D. V., Br. J. Radiol., 35, 473–477 (1962).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Thorne, M. C., Nature, 259, 539–541 (1976).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Marshall, J. H., Groer, P. G., and Schlenker, R. A., in Proc. Alta Conf., 1974 (University of Utah Press, in the press).

    Google Scholar 

  34. Spiers, F. W., in Proc. Third Int. Cong. Int. Radiat. Protection Ass. Washington, 1973, Conf. 330907-P1 439 (USAEC, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 1974).

    Google Scholar 

  35. Norris, W. P., Speckman, T. W., and Gustafson, P. F., Am. J. Roentgenol., 73, 785–802 (1955).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Rep. UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, 1, 9 and 2, 303–358 (United Nations, New York, 1972).

  37. Mayneord, W. V., and Clark, R. H., Br. J. Radiol., Suppl. No. 12 (1975).

  38. Marshall, J. H., and Finkel, M. P., in The Relation of Radiation Damage to Radiation Dose in Bone, 40–44 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1960).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Vaughan, J. M., The Effects of Irradiation on the Skeleton (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  40. Abbatt, J. D., in Radionuclide Carcinogenesis, AEC Symp. Series 29. Conf. 720505, 415–465 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  41. MRC Report on the Toxicity of Plutonium (HMSO, London, 1975).

  42. Rep. R 29 (National Radiological Protection Board, Harwell, 1974).

  43. Lovins, A. B., and Patterson, W. C., Nature, 254, 278–280 (1975).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Bair, W. J., Richmond, C. R., and Wachholz, B. W., USAEC Rep. Wash-1320 (US Atomic Energy Commission, Washington DC, 1974).

  45. Mayneord, W. V., and Clarke, R. H., Central Electricity Generating Board Report, RD/B/N 2878 (1974).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Spiers, F., Vaughan, J. Hazards of plutonium with special reference to the skeleton. Nature 259, 531–534 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/259531a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/259531a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing