Biological effects of the radioactive noble gases

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1973

OSTI ID:4331402

Morken, D A

The biological effects of inhaled /sup 85/Kr, a BETA emitter, and /sup 222/Rn, an alpha emitter, in experimental mammals are similar at the acute lethal level to each other and those from external x or gamma irradiation. Work with krypton has just begun. Radon has been studied more extensively in terms of mortality, body weight, and the hemogram. In general the effects are not different from those found with x or gamma radiation. Radon produces a few specific differences from x or gamma irradiation. Red cell forming tissue is only slightly injured although the other blood cell forming tissues respond in the expected manner. The growth pattern is altered, with permanent stunting a result. These specific effects may be a result of a special kind of injury which the alpha particle can produce. Similar experiments with BETA particles from /sup 85/Kr may resolve this difference and may lead to a better understanding of the nature of these effects. (auth)

• Research Organization: Rochester Univ., N.Y. (USA). Dept. of Radiation Biology and Biophysics
• NSA Number: NSA-29-024516
• OSTI ID: 4331402
• Report Number(s): UR--3490-383; CONF-730915--12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*ALPHA SOURCES-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*BETA SOURCES-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*KRYPTON 85-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*RADON 222-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
ANIMAL GROWTH
BLOOD CELLS
BODY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
EXTERNAL IRRADIATION
GAMMA RADIATION
INHALATION
INTERNAL IRRADIATION
LETHAL RADIATION DOSE
MAMMALS
MORTALITY
N48620* --Life Sciences--Radionuclide Effects (Internal Source)--Animals
PHOTON BEAMS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOACTIVE AEROSOLS
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
WEIGHT
X RADIATION