Radiocesium contamination at a steel plant in Ireland.

Radioactive sources have been inadvertently incorporated into consignments of scrap metal in various locations throughout the world. In 1990, a 3.7 GBq 137 Cs source, due for transfer from a Scottish industrial establishment to one in England, was mistakenly included in a scrap consignment destined for Irish Steel, a metal recycling plant in County Cork in the Republic of Ireland. Unaware of the presence of the source, Irish Steel smelted this consignment in the usual manner. This involved separation of some non-ferrous materials which were then exported, in pellet form, To Pasminco Europe (now Britannia Zinc Ltd.) in Avonmouth, U.K. The presence of 137 Cs contamination in these pellets was detected by the U.K. company in the course of a routine radiation survey. Irish Steel carried out extensive decontamination of its plant, placing the contaminated dust in secure storage. The company has equipped itself with radiation detection devices which monitor incoming scrap. Outgoing products and furnace dust are also monitored on a routine basis. While this incident was of negligible radiological significance as far as personnel were concerned, the financial cost to Irish Steel have been substantial. It highlights the need for surveillance, by national competent authorities, of the movement of radioactive sources from production through use to final disposal.

Prostaglandin E1 decreases circulating endothelial cells.

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has been claimed to have cytoprotective effects and also to decrease thrombogenicity. The effect of intraarterial (i.a.) and intravenous (i.v.) administration of PGE1 on the number of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) was investigated in patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Patients with hyperlipoproteinemia and also smokers exhibited higher numbers of CEC. PGE1 significantly (p < 0.01) decreased CEC. In parallel, plate let survival was prolonged (r = 0.82). This effect lasted for more than a month after stopping PGE1-therapy. The observed decrease in CEC reflects the decreased thrombogenicity and improved haemostasis achieved after PGE1.