Recent Developments in the Decorporation of Plutonium, Americium and Thorium

Progress is reported on some of the research priorities identified in the Guidebook for the Treatment of Accidental Contamination of Workers published in 1992. It concludes that the administration of DTPA in drinking water could be an effective treatment for plutonium and americium inhaled as nitrates; that 3,4,3-LI (1,2-HOPO) is the most effective siderophore analogue yet tested for the decorporation of these actinides. and thorium: and that for thorium the efficacy of treatment will be strongly dependent on the mass likely to be incorporated under different exposure conditions.