Models of Am Metabolism in Beagles and Humans

Abstract

Two models of the metabolism of inhaled 241AmO2 in Beagles were formulated. These models differed in their description of lung retention; the empirical dissolution model used an empirically derived function to describe dissolution of inhaled 241AmO2, while the surface area model used a dissolution function based on physical and chemical characteristics of the inhaled aerosol. Both models provided more accurate descriptions of retention data for 241Am from several studies in Beagles than the model published by the ICRP [International Commission on Radiological Protection]. The surface area model was extended to describe several cases of inhalation of 241Am in humans. This latter model was employed to calculate annual limits of intake for comparison with results based on the current ICRP model.