A TEST OF THE PLUTONIUM METABOLIC MODELS DEVELOPED BY LEGGETT AND PRIEST USING MEASUREMENTS FROM AN INTAKE CASE

The performance of the plutonium metabolic models of Leggett and Pries t is assessed using measurement results for a case of plutonium uptake via a wound involving an adult male. Uptake estimates for plutonium t o blood are calculated from the autopsy data for the subject using eac h of the models. The models are then used to compute the expected leve ls of plutonium excretion in urine and faeces over the years following uptake. The levels of plutonium excretion predicted using the Leggett model are generally somewhat lower than the measured values. Also, th e pattern of systemic deposition calculated using the Leggett model is at variance with the autopsy data for the subject. Calculations using the Priest model show reasonable consistency with the measured excret ion and the deposition at death for this intake case.