Current concepts of the radio-biological effects of plutonium and uranium (Based on ICRP Publication 150)

Abstract

Introduction. The article discusses the health risks associated with exposure to plutonium and uranium, given in ICRP Publication 150 and relevant in the context of the development of technologies, the production of new types of nuclear fuel.
 Cancer risk from plutonium exposure. Exposure to plutonium occurs predominantly in industrial settings. After inhalation and deposition in the respiratory tract, plutonium is eliminated by particle transport to the digestive tract and lymph nodes, and by absorption into the blood. The main risk associated with exposure to plutonium is lung cancer. Comparing the lifetime excess risk of mortality from lung cancer due to external gamma radiation (based on a lifetime survey of Japanese residents who survived the atomic bombing) and internal exposure to plutonium alpha particles (based on a study of Mayak employees), for the same absorbed dose to the lungs, the risk associated with exposure to plutonium alpha particles was found to be greater than the risk associated with external gamma exposure by about 15–16 and 19–22 times.
 Cancer risk from exposure to uranium. At present, there is very little evidence to suggest a relationship between internal dose due to uranium exposure and cancer risk. ICRP Publication 150 provides a critical review of the UNSCEAR Report 2016 (2017) and discusses recent epidemiological studies. There are different health hazards at different stages of the nuclear fuel cycle, given the different forms of uranium present at each stage. Estimating doses from exposure to uranium for workers in the nuclear fuel cycle is difficult due to the relatively rapid elimination of uranium from the bloodstream, variability in exposure to uranium compounds, and differences in the methods used to control internal exposure. Based on published research data, it is not possible to quantify the risk of cancer from uranium by doses to individual organs/tissues.
 Conclusion. Research was carried out as a part of the study of the properties of new types of nuclear fuel should take into account the comprehensive data presented in ICRP Publication 150.