130 Americium-241 Americium is a synthetic element that has the symbol Am and atomic number 95. It is a radioactive metallic element of the actinide series. Eighteen radioisotopes of americium, with mass number from 231 to 249, have been characterized. The most used isotope is Am-241 because it is easiest to produce. Americium is widely used in commercial ionization-chamber smoke detectors as well as in neutron sources and industrial gauges. Americium emits alpha and gamma radiation, which represents a serious health hazard. (L1103) 86954-36-1 104726 Am 0.000000 Oral (L1843) ;Inhalation (L1843) Americium toxicity results primarily from the damage done by the alpha particle emitted during radioactive decay. This alpha particle has very limited penetration in tissue, and hence, the cellular damage occurs only in the immediate vicinity of the sequestered americium. The ionizing radiation produced by americium causes cellular damage that includes DNA breakage, accurate or inaccurate repair, apoptosis, gene mutations, chromosomal change, and genetic instability. This leads to loss of normal cell and tissue homeostasis, and development of malignancy. Ionizing radiation that does not directly damage DNA can produce reactive oxygen intermediates that directly affect the stability of p53, an important enzyme in cell-cycle regulation, and produce oxidative damage to individual bases in DNA and point mutations by mispairing during DNA replication. (L1837) Americium can be absorbed following ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. In the body it distributes primarily to the liver, as well as to the bone and skeletal muscle. The metabolism of americium involves binding interactions with proteins and probably complex formation with various inorganic anions, such as carbonate and phosphate, and carboxylic acids, such as citrate and lactate. Americium is excreted in faeces and urine. (L1843) 1, carcinogenic to humans. (L135) Americium is widely used in commercial ionization-chamber smoke detectors as well as in neutron sources and industrial gauges. (L1103) Acute Radiation: 4 mSv (L134) Chronic Radiation: 1 mSv/yr (L134) Americium's radioactivity can cause cancer, especially of the bone, where it is known to accumulate. Exposure to large amount of americium may also damage the lungs, liver, and thyroid. (L1843) Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation results in acute radiation syndrome, which can cause skin burns, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, disorientation, low blood pressure, headache, fatigue, weakness, fever, birth defects, illness, infection, and death. (L1837, L1852) Treatment reversing the effects of irradiation is currently not possible. Anaesthetics and antiemetics are administered to counter the symptoms of exposure, as well as antibiotics for countering secondary infections due to the resulting immune system deficiency. (L1852) 2009-03-06T18:58:08Z 2014-12-24T20:21:10Z Americium-241 true [241Am] Am InChI=1S/Am/i1-2 InChIKey=LXQXZNRPTYVCNG-YPZZEJLDSA-N 241.0568 241.056822944 Exogenous 94543