Distribution of plutonium and americium in tissues from a human autopsy case

Bones and soft tissues taken at autopsy from a former plutonium worker have been analysed, case PM46, for 238Pu + 239Pu and 241Am. The range of samples analysed was such that reasonable estimates could be made of the whole body content of plutonium and americium. The body content was due to, supposedly, a single abnormal intake rather than routine exposure and 18 years after the occurrence, 73% of the Pu in the skeleton plus the liver was present in the skeleton compared with 90% for Am. The macrodistribution of these actinides in the bones was closely similar to the data from four human skeletons reported from the United States Transuranium Registry. (author)