Optimising the removal of inhaled plutonium and americium from the rat by administration of ZnDTPA in drinking water

Abstract

1 The efficacy of ZnDTPA administered in drinking water has been investigated for removing ²³⁸ Pu and ²⁴¹Am from the rat after their simultaneous inhalation as nitrates.

2 The continual administration of ZnDTPA 95 μmol kg^-1 d^-1 over a 21 d interval commencing 1 h after exposure reduced the ²³⁸Pu content of the lungs and total body to 2% and 8% of those in untreated animals; the corresponding values for ²⁴¹Am were 3% and 5%.

3 The continual intakes of 950 μmol kg^-1 d^-1, intermittent intakes of 3600 μmol kg^-1 d^-1 and the repeated injection of 30 μmol kg^-1 body weight were considered no more effective. 4 All orally administered concentrations of ZnDTPA, commencing 7 d after exposure, reduced the total body contents of ²³⁸Pu and ²⁴¹Am to 17% and 20% of controls by 28 d.

5 Histopathological examination of the kidneys, liver and gastrointestinal tract showed no apparent effects of these treatment protocols.

6 It is concluded that the oral administration of ZnDTPA could be an effective treatment for the removal of inhaled transportable forms of Pu and Am after human exposure.