Quantitative scanning electron microscopic autoradiography of inhaled /sup 239/PuO/sub 2/
We have applied the scanning electron microscope (SEM) to obtain autoradiographs of particles of /sup 239/PuO/sub 2/ deposited in rat lung. The technique was used to obtain quantitative information on the clearance rates of particles from the alveoli, bronchioles and trachea up to 240 d after exposure. At all times, the concentration of particles on the surface of the bronchioles was an order of magnitude greater than on the tracheal surface. The clearance of Pu from both regions followed a biphasic pattern, similar to that obtained by radiometric analysis of the whole lung. Most of the radiation dose to the bronchiolar epithelium originated from Pu particles in peribronchiolar alveoli in which they were preferentially retained, compared to other alveolar regions. The prolonged retention of particles in the peribronchiolar alveoli may be a significant factor in the induction of lung carcinomas.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, WA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6072211
- Journal Information:
- Health Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Health Phys.; (United States) Vol. 56:3; ISSN HLTPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
560162* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Animals
Plants
Microorganisms
& Cells
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
AEROSOLS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
BODY
CARCINOMAS
CLEARANCE
COLLOIDS
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
DOSES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
EPITHELIUM
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
EXCRETION
HEAVY NUCLEI
INHALATION
INTAKE
ISOTOPES
LUNG CLEARANCE
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MICROSCOPY
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEI
ORGANS
PLUTONIUM 239
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOACTIVE AEROSOLS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
RATS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RETENTION
RODENTS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SOLS
TISSUES
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES