What does Plutonium know? Yes, there was a man who tried it

A chemist can happen in history for many things. However, only one had a dubious honor to be memorable for the fact that he was the only person who knows who has Plutonium swallowsThe field is exactly what happened to Don MastikHe did not do this on purpose, logically. It was a case working in Los -Alamos Laboratory As a member of the Manhattan project. Thanks to the rapid intervention of a doctor who watched the health of workers, he could tell him for many years. If this had not been, the accident would probably be fatal.

He was 24 years old when everything happened, but died at the age of 87, for reasons that had nothing to do with Plutonius. At least they know. Logically, it was a good chemist, and he received great achievements, for which he was also remembered. But the most unusual is connected with the accident.

And besides, thanks to him today we know What Plutonius knowsThe field because, in the end, it was accepted that which happened calmly, and humor, and answered all the questions asked about it. Most of the questioned all were regarding the aroma, although the answer is not surprising; Well, according to the mastic, he just has Metal taste

How did the accident with Plutonium occur?

Everything happened on August 1, 1944. The mastic was one of the chemicals of the Manhattan project specialized in the study of plutonium. This precious radioactive material was very boring. Therefore, there was a team of scientists, the main mission, was restore this; For example, fragments of test missions. Almost all of his work was focused on Clean plutonium samplesThe field but they were so scarce that the liquid was not even visible to the naked eye. It was necessary to work on microscope, C about under the test tubes, small, like a sewing needle.

But when the accident did not work with a microscope. He was next to the sink, talking with one of his teammates. I had a pipe with a significant amount of plutonium, which is equivalent to what is suitable The head of the pin. Yes, it was significant.

Inadvertently, he squeezed the phone too much and broke it, causing a small explosion with plutonium, which went into a gas state and pressing the walls of the container. As soon as he released, he was fired to the walls. Nevertheless, he also jumped and fell into the mouth of the mastic, relying Language and lips. He quickly knew, perceiving a great sense of heat and a metallic taste. I knew that the minimum dose of plutonia was enough to cause death, so it quickly went to the building of objects in which Dr. Hempelmann. He kept surprisingly well, but logically time was insisted.

What did the doctor do?

Unlike Don, it was difficult for a doctor to remain calm. He quickly called his boss, who offered to try a liquid for rinsing his mouth and an expectorant. He did not give him much more details, but Hempleman had an idea. He filled two points. One was kept sodium citrate, which is able to unite with plutonium to lead to soluble fluid. In another it was baking sodaWhose mission was to make the mixture insoluble again.

Consequently, the chemist had to wash off the first liquid to attract plutonium in the mouth, and then with the second to separate it from the liquid, and this can be easily spit. Only in this first rinse has already been released almost Half of the microgram of plutoniumThe microgram field is enough to cause serious health problems. Perhaps there was more, so he continued again and again with rinses. In total, he did it 12 times. In addition, the doctor subjected it to washing the stomach.

Nothing rushes here

As we have already seen, Plutonium was scarce and precious. Therefore, Hempelmann gave mastic a container with Organic remains are extracted from the stomachThe field in the end, it was one of the most experienced scientists who shared and cleared plutonium. He is without hesitation. He returned to the laboratory with the content of the stomach and delivered all possible plutonium from the mixture.

More plutonium over the years

After the accident, when the mastic opened his mouth, all radiation sensors were activated. This happened only for several days. However, he continued to detect Plutonium in your urine For decades.

According to estimates, taking into account what can be cleaned, and what continued to eliminate in the urine year after year, the mastic came to the use of some 10 micrograms of plutonium. It would be a deadly amount without these rinses and washing the stomach.

Fortunately, he had a complete life full of science and without large accidents with a metallic taste. In his necrologist, in 2007, those who appreciated it are encouraged to plant a tree in his memory. This is one of the few documents about him in which the biggest reason he went to history is not mentioned. An incredible situation to try plutonium and live to tell about it.