Cancer Terms

Plutonium-239

Cancer Terms -> Drugs and Chemicals -> Drugs and Chemicals Structural Classification -> Inorganic Chemical -> Element or Isotope -> Isotope -> Radioisotope -> Plutonium-239

Plutonium-239 Definition

An artificial radioactive element with long half-life, Plutonium-239 is produced by bombarding uranium-238 with slow neutrons and is used as the explosive in nuclear weapons and as fuel for nuclear reactors. Similar to uranium, Plutonium-239 is a heavy, fissionable metal that accumulates in bones upon exposure and presents health hazards. Plutonium oxidation results in stable, easily inhaled, particulate plutonium dioxide that represents a respiratory health hazard. Plutonium ingestion is considerably less dangerous since little is absorbed in the digestive system. (NCI04)

Plutonium-239 Synonyms

Plutonium-239, 239PU, Pu-239

Terms in Plutonium-239 category



Copyright © Cancer Terms 2014 All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Low Carb Foods

No reproduction or republication permitted.