Internal contamination with americium
Recognizing Internal Contamination With Americium
Internal contamination with Americium occurs when material with Americium, for examples files and liquids, enters the body. Americium is an artificially made radioactive element with the chemical symbol Am and atomic number 95. It is primarily produced through neutron irradiation from plutonium. Americium is generally found in smoke detectors and other radiation detection/measurement devices.
Internal contamination with Americium can occur in several ways:
- Inhalation - inhalation of contaminated substances, such as dust, gases, fumes or vapors.
- Ingestion - ingestion of contaminated materials, including food, drink, water, or drugs.
- Injection - injection of contaminated materials into the body, such as through surgery or an accident.
- Absorption - absorption of contaminated substances through the skin.
The symptoms of internal contamination with Americium can vary widely, depending on the route of entry and the amount of the contamination. Symptoms can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Skin rashes
- Weight loss
- Hair loss
- Organ damage
If you suspect that you have been exposed to Americium or have any of the symptoms listed above, seek medical attention immediately. Treatment for internal contamination with Americium may involve medication to reduce the amount of the material in the body, as well as special therapies to repair the damage caused by the radiation.