Internal contamination with americium
What is Internal Contamination with Americium?
Internal contamination with americium is a type of radiation exposure that occurs when americium (an artificially created, radioactive metal) is ingested, absorbed through the skin, or enters the body through an open wound. Americium is used in many industrial and medical processes because of its unique properties and its ability to emit radiation.
When americium is taken into the body, it can be incorporated into organs or other tissues, including bone. This incorporation of the radioactive material results in exposure to radiation from within the body, as the americium emits gamma radiation, beta particles, and alpha particles. These particles can cause damage to cells in the body, leading to a number of health effects.
Health Effects of Internal Contamination with Americium
The health effects of internal contamination with americium depend on the dose, type of exposure, and the organs exposed. Common symptoms include:
- Excessive fatigue
- Low energy
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Decreased red blood cell count
- Weight loss
- Skin rashes and itching
- Increased risk of cancer
The long-term effects of internal contamination with americium can be serious, and include birth defects in children born to contaminated parents, increased cancer risk for the contaminated individual, and a decrease in life expectancy due to increased health problems associated with radiation exposure.
Treatment of Internal Contamination with Americium
The main treatment for internal contamination with americium is minimizing the radiation dose by making sure that the person is not exposed to any more radiation, and by removing the contaminated material from the body if possible. This can be done through surgery, medication, or chelation therapy, depending on the type and amount of contamination.
In cases of extreme contamination, it may be necessary to limit the individual's exposure to others, as the radiation can be passed on to other people.
