Lymphocytopenia induced in beagle dogs by inhalation of $sup 239$PuO$sub 2$
To determine the life-span dose-effect relationships of inhaled plutonium, we gave 124 beagle dogs a single exposure of $sup 239$PuO$sub 2$ 2 to 3 years ago at six different levels, i.e., 4, 20, 80, 300, 1100, or 5800 nCi mean initial alveolar depositions. Another group (20 dogs) served as controls. All dogs were about 18 months old. At the four highest exposure levels, a chronic lymphocytopenia developed which correlated with the initial alveolar plutonium burden in regard to magnitude of depression and time of development after exposure. The nadir occurred near 10 months after exposure in dogs receiving 5800, 1100, and 300 nCi, with corresponding lymphocyte levels 40, 55, and 75 percent, respectively, of those observed in control dogs. In the 80-nCi level the nadir occurred about 2 years after exposure at approximately 80 percent of control values. At the two lowest doses, i.e., 4 and 20 nCi, no effect on lymphocyte concentrations was noted 3 years after exposure. The persistent lymphocytopenia related to plutonium inhalation may be of significance in the subsequent development of pulmonary neoplasms previously observed in beagles at this laboratory 8 to 11 years after initial lung depositions of 200 to 1000 nCi of $sup 239$Pu. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA; Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA); USAEC Division of Biomedical and Environmental Research, Washington, D.C.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-023564
- OSTI ID:
- 4065698
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-740930-
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 14. Hanford biology symposium on radiation and the lymphatic system, Richland, Washington, USA, 30 Sep 1974; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-76; Related Information: Radiation and the lymphatic system
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
560162* -Biomedical Sciences
Applied Studies-Radiation Effects-Radionuclide Effects-Internal Source-Animals
*LYMPHOCYTES- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*LYMPHOPENIA- RADIOINDUCTION
BEAGLES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
INHALATION
PLUTONIUM 239
PLUTONIUM OXIDES