Can a Plutonium leak cause Cancer?

Chemical leaks have thankfully become quite uncommon these days, but we still hear of occasional cases, where a leak has caused drastic health issues to people living in that area, sometimes spilling over to their unborn children as well. When we talk about radioactive metals, we often hear of the word Plutonium, but what is it, and what are the health impacts of its leak? Let's find out...

What is Plutonium?
Plutonium is an important radioactive heavy metal, used mainly in nuclear weapons and some types of nuclear reactors. It emits alpha particles, a form of ionizing radiation that can damage living cells. A leak (though uncommon) occurs when this radioactive material slips out of the container, thus potentially exposing people nearby through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Unfortunately, the metal is highly toxic and radioactive, hence, even small amounts can cause serious health problems.

How does it enter the body?
Plutonium enters the body by breathing in contaminated air or swallowing contaminated food or water. Once inside, plutonium particles tend to quickly settle in the lungs, bones, and liver. Plutonium stays in the body for years, continuously emitting harmful radiation, hence the person's condition will worsen over time.


Exploring health effects
If someone is exposed to a large amount of plutonium radiation, they will develop symptoms similar to acute radiation sickness. Early signs include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, skin burns, and fatigue. These symptoms occur because radiation damages cells and tissues quickly.

Can be fatal to lungs
Once inside the lungs, inhaled plutonium particles can cause radiation pneumonitis, an inflammation of lung tissue. This leads to rapid breathing (tachypnea), coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Slowly, this inflammation can develop into pulmonary fibrosis, a condition where lung tissue becomes stiff and scarred. This condition can be fatal.

Long-Term Health Risks
The most serious long-term risk from plutonium exposure is cancer. The alpha radiation damages DNA in cells, which can cause mutations leading to cancer years or even decades later. Lung cancer is the most common form linked to plutonium inhalation. Other cancers, such as bone and liver cancer, may also develop if plutonium accumulates in these organs.


Because plutonium remains radioactive in the body for a long time, the risk of cancer persists for many years after exposure. The severity depends on the amount inhaled or ingested and how long the plutonium stays inside the body.

Preventing and Protecting Against Exposure
In the event of a plutonium leak, safety measures include limiting time near the source, maintaining distance, using shielding, and wearing respiratory protection to avoid inhaling particles.

Because plutonium particles can contaminate surfaces and people, strict isolation and decontamination procedures are necessary in hospitals to protect staff and other patients.