EPA Facts AboutPlutoniumEPA Facts AboutPlutonium
July 2002
What is plutonium?
Plutonium is a radioactive metal that exists as a solidunder normal conditions. It is produced whenuranium absorbs an atomic particle such as a neutron.Small amounts of plutonium occur naturally, but largeamounts have been produced in nuclear reactors as aresult of neutron irradiation.Plutonium occurs in several forms called isotopes.The most common plutonium isotopes are plutonium-238, plutonium-239 and plutonium-240.
What are the uses of plutonium?
Plutonium-238 is used as a heat source to generatethermoelectric power for electronic systems in satellitesand for heart pacemakers. Plutonium-239 is used primarilyin nuclear weapons. Plutonium-239 and plutonium-240 aretwo of the most prevalent plutonium byproducts of weapons testing.
How does plutonium change in theenvironment?
Plutonium is not a stable element. As plutonium decays,it releases radiation and forms decay products . Forexample, the decay products of plutonium-238 andplutonium-239 are uranium-234 and uranium-235,respectively. The decay process continues until a stable,non-radioactive decay product is formed.Radiation is released during the decay process in the formof alpha and beta particles, and gamma radiation. Alphaparticles can travel only short distances and generally willnot penetrate human skin. Beta particles are generallyabsorbed in the skin and do not pass through the entirebody. Gamma radiation, however, can penetrate the body.Plutonium-238, plutonium-239, and plutonium-240 areisotopes of plutonium, and have half-lives of 87 years,24,065 years, and 6,537 years respectively.
How are people exposed to plutonium?
Plutonium has been released to the environment primarilyby atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons and byaccidents at facilities where plutonium is used. Theamount of plutonium introduced into the environmentthrough nuclear weapons production operations havebeen negligible compared with those released duringtesting of nuclear explosives.Plutonium-238, plutonium-239, and plutonium-240 arealpha emitters. As a result, the potential for directexposure is minimal from these isotopes. When mixed insoil on the ground these plutonium isotopes have apotential risk that is predominantly from the inhalationand ingestion pathways.
How does plutonium get into the body?
Plutonium can enter the body when it is inhaled orswallowed. Once inhaled, the amount of plutonium thatremains in the lungs depends upon the particle size andthe chemical form of the plutonium. The chemical formsthat dissolve less easily may be absorbed or may remainin the lung. The forms that dissolve less easily are oftenswallowed. Plutonium swallowed with food or water ispoorly absorbed from the stomach, so most of it leavesthe body in the feces.
Is there a medical test to determine exposureto plutonium?
Tests are available that can reliably measure the amountof plutonium in a urine sample, even at very low levels.There are also tests to measure plutonium in soft tissues(such as body organs), feces, and bones. Thesemeasurements can be used to estimate the total amount of plutonium present in the body. These tests are notroutinely available in a doctor’s office because speciallaboratory equipment is required. Other medical tests forplutonium include whole body counting for americium-241and nasal smears.
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Environmental Protection Agency: plutonium
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