Plutonium is a heavy metal and has toxicity's associated with this class of material. Plutonium also has a toxicity associated with its radioactivity. The radiation emitted during plutonium decay is primary alpha particles, although beta particles, neutrons, and gamma rays, which are all more penetrating than alpha particles, are also emitted. Outside the body, alpha particles are not very hazardous-you can stop an alpha particle with a sheet of paper. The toxicity of plutonium depends on the route of exposure, particle size, chemical form, and isotope.
Fine particles are more biologically hazardous than larger particles.
Plutonium particles on a person's skin are not readily absorbed through the skin and can be washed off. Particles, however, are a potential hazard if they enter the body. The two primary routes through which plutonium particles can enter the body are ingestion or inhalation. Particles could also enter through open cuts or wounds. If plutonium oxide particles are ingested and enter the body's digestive system, very little of the plutonium is absorbed by the body, and most of the plutonium is naturally excreted within a few days.