The limitations of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) use in radiological mass casualty events: Challenges and future directions

This paper examines the critical challenges associated with the use of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) as a chelating agent in radiological mass casualty incidents (MCIs). While DTPA is effective in binding and removing certain radioactive isotopes from the body, its use in MCI is significantly restricted by logistical barriers that prevent timely administration to large numbers of individuals. The requirement for delivery either intravenously or by nebulizer, which is recommended only for inhalational exposure and not approved for pediatric use, necessitates specialized medical personnel and equipment, making DTPA infeasible for MCI. This paper emphasizes the urgent need for the development of alternative countermeasures that are easy to administer to large numbers of people, suitable for both adults and children, and capable of being rapidly deployed in the event of a radiological emergency.