Response to a Skin Puncture Contaminated with 238Pu at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Issue 6 (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Klumpp, John; Bertelli, Luiz; Dumit, Sara; Gadd, Milan; Poudel, Deepesh; Waters, Tom L.
• Is Part Of: Health physics. Volume 119:Issue 6(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: accidents, nuclear -- alpha particles -- bioassay -- wound; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Health Physics -- periodicals; Radiation Protection -- periodicals; Radiotherapy -- periodicals; Medische fysica; Electronic journals; 612.01448
• DOI: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001250
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-9078

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: The three principal pathways for intakes of plutonium are ingestion, inhalation, and contaminated wounds. In August 2018, a glovebox worker at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) sustained a puncture from a thread of a braided steel cable contaminated with 238 Pu. The puncture produced no pain, no blood, and little or no visible mark. As a result, the potential for a contaminated wound was not immediately recognized, and a wound count was not conducted until elevated urine bioassay results were received 12 d after the incident. This paper discusses the circumstances of the incident, along with the medical response and dose assessment, and a discussion of the risks and benefits of the medical interventions.