The reactions of l nm particles of plutonium-238 dioxide and curium-244 dioxide with lung fluid
Cooper, J.R.; Stradling, G.N.; Smith, H.; Ham, S.E.
International Journal of Radiation Biology and Related Studies in Physics Chemistry and Medicine 38(1): 93-103
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-7616 PMID: 6252110 Document Number: 162608
The reactions of 1 nm particles of plutonium-238 dioxide and curium-244 dioxide with rat lung fluid have been studied both in vitro and in vivo. The plutonium-238 particles are positively charged and combine by electrostatic attraction with the negative pulmonary surfactant which mediates the transfer of radioactivity to the blood. In contrast the curium-244 particles are negative and are assumed to diffuse passively through the alveolar walls. The results emphasise that electrostatic charge is an important factor governing the reaction of 1 nm actinide oxide particles with macromolecules.