Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025. Vol. 70. № 6
DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-6-71-77
I.S. Kuznetsova, M.E. Sokolnikov, A.V. Efimov, A.B. Sokolova
Lifetime Risk of Lung Cancer Death from Inhaled Plutonium Intake Based on New Biokinetic and Dosimetric Models
South Ural Federal Scientific and Clinical Center for Medical Biophysics, Ozersk, Russia
Contact person: I.S. Kuznetsova, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To assess the lifetime risk of death from lung cancer with inhaled intake of 239Pu compounds of the M, S and MOX types, based on the results of mortality modeling in a cohort of employees at PA Mayak, taking into account new biokinetic and dosimetric models.
Material and methods: Lifetime risk was assessed in terms of lifetime radiation death from lung cancer.
The risk assessment was carried out for the scenario of chronic daily intake for one year, 10, 20, 30 and 50 years with three age values at the beginning of contact with plutonium aerosols: 20, 35 and 50 years. Two intake values were used, equal to 1 Bq per day and annual limit of intake (ALI), obtained based on the OIR model (the Occupational Intakes of Radionuclides) for 239Pu. Estimates of equivalent doses to the lungs from 239Pu were made based on the biokinetic and dosimetric models presented in the OIR publication series.
To assess the lifetime radiation risk, a model of lung cancer mortality was used, obtained as part of the radiogenic risk studies for Mayak personnel. Since there is an excessive risk factor – occupational radiation exposure, the mortality rate also takes into account the radiogenic component in the survival function.
Results: The possibility of exceeding the limit in terms of lifetime risk of death from lung cancer for inhaled intake of chemical compounds 239Pu type M and MOX has been shown. The intake of 239Pu type M compounds at a ALI level of 650 Bq per year for 50 years, starting at the age of 20, leads to an accumulation of 516 mGy of alpha radiation dose in the lung and to a twofold excess of the lifetime risk 5 % level for male smokers (9.8×10-2). The recommended ALI for MOX compounds (440 Bq per year) leads to exceeding the acceptable risk limit within 20, 30 or 50 years: 5,7∙10-2, 7,1∙10-2, 7,9∙10-2, if smoking men start coming into contact with 239Pu aerosols at the age of 20.
Keywords: lifetime death risk, occupational exposure, plutonium, lung cancer
For citation: Kuznetsova IS, Sokolnikov ME, Efimov AV, Sokolova AB. Lifetime Risk of Lung Cancer Death from Inhaled Plutonium Intake Based on New Biokinetic and Dosimetric Models. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025;70(6):71–77. (In Russian). DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-6-71-77
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Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Financing. State assignment for carrying out applied research work on the topic "Ensuring Individual Dosimetric Control of Personnel at the Mining and Chemical Plant" (code "IDK MCP 25"; code-11.001.25.800).
Contribution. I.S. Kuznetsova – calculations and article writing, M.E. Sokolnikov – research design, A.V. Efimov – research concept, A.B. Sokolova – dose assessment and scientific editing.
Article received: 20.07.2025. Accepted for publication: 25.08.2025.