USTUR 0246: 1976 Hanford 241Am Incident
Intake
An ion-exchange column containing about 100 g of 241Am exploded in 1976. The chemical operator sustained acid burns and superficial cuts to the face and upper body. From 1 to 5 Ci of 241Am were initially deposited on the registrant and his clothing and decontamination efforts reduced this to 1 mCi during the first day post-exposure1.
 |
 |
 |
| The October 1983 issue of Health Physics was dedicated to Mr. McCluskey: "This issue of Health Physics is dedicated to Harold R. McCluskey. Mr. McCluskey, the person involved in the accident discussed in this issue, has provided noteworthy assistance in the management of his own case. His cooperation, understanding and self-control in the face of uncertainty with respect to the effects of the accident are exemplary. He has repeatedly expressed the hope that lessons learned from his experience could be of scientific and practical benefit. This dedication to "Mac" would be incomplete without acknowledgement of the vital support provided by his wife, Ella, and other members of his family." (Health Physics, 1983) | ||
Health Physics
Ca-DTPA chelation therapy was initiated on the day of the incident, though toxicity concerns associated with long term Ca-DTPA administration prompted physicians to replace Ca-DTPA with Zn-DTPA during the following days and months2. Zn-DTPA was administered for several years. About 500 urine samples were analyzed for 241Am between the 1976 incident and the end of 1983. One hundred fifteen blood measurements were taken from 1976 to 1981 and more than 270 fecal samples were collected between 1976 and 1983. Prior to the incident, one fecal sample and about 60 urine samples had been analyzed.
Autopsy and Pathology
The registrant died 11 years after the exposure, at age 75, of emphysema. He also had a history of heart disease including a previous myocardial infarction.
Autopsy type: routine (partial body)
October 1983 Journal of Health Physics
The October 1983 issue of the Journal of Health Physics was dedicated to McCluskey. Eleven papers discussed various aspects of the incident: Overview and perspective1, Accident description3, Medical management and chelation therapy2, Psychological aspects4, External decontamination procedures5, Decontamination and treatment facility6, In vivo measurement7, Organ burden and radiation dose estimates8, Hematologic effects9, Histologic and autoradiographic observations on skin10, and Urinary excretion of trace metals during DTPA treatment11.
References
1. Thompson, R. C. 1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: overview and perspective. Health Phys. 45: 837-845; 1983.
2. Breitenstein, B. D. 1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: medical management and chelation therapy. Health Phys. 45: 855-866; 1983.
3. McMurray, B. J. 1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: accident description. Health Phys. 45: 847-853; 1983.
4. Brown, W. R. 1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: phychological aspects. Health Phys. 45: 867-871; 1983.
5. Jech, J. J., Berry, J. R., Breitenstein, B. D. 1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: external decontamination procedures. Health Phys. 45: 873-881; 1983.
6. Berry, J. R., McMurray, B. J., Jech, J. J., Breitenstein, B. D., Quigley, E. J. 1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: decontamination and treatment facility. Health Phys. 45: 883-892; 1983.
7. Palmer, H. E., Rieksts, G. A., Icayan E. E. 1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: in vivo measurements. Health Phys. 45: 893-910; 1983.
8. Robinson, B., Heid, K. R., Aldridge, T. L., Glenn, R. D. 1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: organ burden and radiation dose estimates. Health Phys. 45: 911-921; 1983.
9. Ragan, H. A., Mahaffey, J. A., Breitenstein, B. D. 1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: hematologic effects. Health Phys. 45: 923-932; 1983.
10. Hampton, J. C. 1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: histologic and autoradiographic observations on skin. Health Phys. 45: 933-935; 1983.
11. Kalkwarf, D. R., Thomas, V. W. Jr., Nielson, K. K., Mauch, M. L. 1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: urinary excretion of trace metals during DTPA treatments. Health Phys. 45: 937-947.
This page was last updated on May 30, 2008. usturwebmaster@tricity.wsu.edu
Secondary content using h2 tag.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Life is good at WSU.
Secondary content can be almost anything. If you are not using this region delete all the content that is in between the div tags with the id ="additional".
A unique richness of students, faculty, location, activities, and organizations creates a full, lively student life at the University. This section gives you the insider's view on student life and a sampling of the opportunities here.
"Glimpses." Students talk about life at WSU
These brief posts are written by WSU students to give you a personal look through their window on campus life.