Plutonium Contaminated Wound Experience and Assay Techniques at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory

Abstract

The incidence of puncture wounds potentially contaminated with plutonium over the period since 1960 at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory is reviewed. Ten cases with activity deposits greater than 1% of the present 40 nCi maximum permissible body burden value have been experienced. Techniques employed for estimating the level of plutonium activity at the wound site and for determining the depth of deposition of the contaminated debris are discussed. The use of these analytical methods to aid in treatment is described and one case history is reviewed. Data on the anatomical location of 137 injuries potentially involving transuranic materials showed the upper extremities to be the most usual wound site. More than 80% of these cases involved the fingers and hands.