127
T3D0126
Plutonium
Plutonium is an element with the symbol Pu and atomic number 94. It is a rare transuranic radioactive element that normally exhibits six allotropes and four oxidation states. It is also a radioactive poison that accumulates in bone marrow. (L1840)
7440-07-5
23940
Pu
0.000000
Plutonium is a solid metal. It has a bright silvery appearance at first, much like nickel, but it oxidizes very quickly to a dull gray, although yellow and olive green are also reported. (L1840)
912.5°K (639.4°C, 1182.9°F)
3505 K (3228 °C, 5842 °F)
19.816 g·cm−3 (room temperature) and 16.63 g·cm −3 (melting point)
Oral (L1840) ; inhalation (L1840) ; dermal (L1840)
The alpha radiation plutonium emits does not penetrate the skin but can irradiate internal organs when plutonium is inhaled or ingested. Particularly at risk are the skeleton, where it is likely to be absorbed by the bone surface, and the liver, where it collects and becomes concentrated. The ionizing radiation produced by plutonium causes cellular damage that includes DNA breakage, accurate or inaccurate repair, apoptosis, gene mutations, chromosomal change, and genetic instability. This leads to loss of normal cell and tissue homeostasis, and development of malignancy. Ionizing radiation that does not directly damage DNA can produce reactive oxygen intermediates that directly affect the stability of p53, an important enzyme in cell-cycle regulation, and produce oxidative damage to individual bases in DNA and point mutations by mispairing during DNA replication. (L1837, L1841)
Plutonium-238 can affect the body following ingestion or inhalation. When inhaled, Pu-239 tends to accumulate in the lungs, though it also distributes to the liver and skeleton. Ingested plutonium is found in the liver and bone. Plutonium metabolism consists primarily of hydrolytic reactions and formation of complexes with protein and nonprotein ligands, such as albumin, globulins, ferritin, citrate, and lactate. Plutonium is excreted in feces and urine. (L1841)
1, carcinogenic to humans. (L135)
In nature, plutonium is only found in trace quantities. Artificially, Pu-238 and Pu-239 are synthesized by bombarding uranium-238 with deuterons and neutrons, respectively. Plutonium is used in explosives and the isotope Pu-239 is a key fissile component in nuclear weapons. Plutonium is also a source of power and heat; for example in radioisotope thermoelectric generators and radioisotope heater units, artificial heart pacemakers, or supplemental heat providing to scuba diving. (L1840)
Plutonium's radioactivity can cause cancers of the bone, liver, and lungs if ingested or inhaled. Large amounts may also cause acute radiation poisoning. (L1840)
Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation results in acute radiation syndrome, which can cause skin burns, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, disorientation, low blood pressure, headache, fatigue, weakness, fever, birth defects, illness, infection, and death. (L1837, L1852)
Treatment reversing the effects of irradiation is currently not possible. Anaesthetics and antiemetics are administered to counter the symptoms of exposure, as well as antibiotics for countering secondary infections due to the resulting immune system deficiency. (L1852)
2009-03-06T18:58:07Z
2014-12-24T20:21:10Z
Serum albumin (P02768)
Serotransferrin (P02787)
Ferritin light chain (P02792)
Ferritin heavy chain (P02794)
Ferritin, mitochondrial (Q8N4E7)
(L1841)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutonium
C19159
33388
D011005
Plutonium
true
Serum albumin (P02768)
Serotransferrin (P02787)
Ferritin light chain (P02792)
Ferritin heavy chain (P02794)
Ferritin, mitochondrial (Q8N4E7)
(L1841)
[Pu]
Pu
InChI=1S/Pu
InChIKey=OYEHPCDNVJXUIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
244.0
244.0
Exogenous
Solid
22382