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Acute toxicity of beta-emitting radionuclides that may be released in a reactor accident and ingested

Journal Article · · Radiat. Res.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3574571· OSTI ID:7075601

Suckling, weanling, and adult rats received /sup 106/Ru--/sup 106/Rh by gavage and adult beagle dogs ingested /sup 106/Ru--/sup 106/Rh to determine the toxicity of this high-energy (1.4 MeV av) ..beta..-emitting nuclide pair. The LD/sub 50/'s for suckling, weanling, and adult rats were 1.5, 18, and 9.0 mCi/kg, respectively. Adult rats were given /sup 147/Pm by gavage to determine if a low-energy (0.06 MeV av) ..beta.. emitter could also cause death by damaging the bowel. The LD/sub 50/ of /sup 147/Pm in rats was about 5 Ci/kg. The calculated radiation doses absorbed in the target cells at the LD/sub 50/ level were approximately the same for the two radionuclides (3500 rad), although the doses at the mucosal surface differed widely. The LD/sub 50/ for /sup 106/Ru--/sup 106/Rh in dogs was about 3.5 mCi/kg. Dosimeters placed beneath the mucosa in dogs indicated that the radiation dose to the target cells that caused death from /sup 106/Ru--/sup 106/Rh was about the same as it was for rats. The signs of intestinal injury, their duration, and the probabilities of tissue repair were much different in the dog than in the rat. The midcolon and lower colon of dogs were usually denuded at focal sites after ingestion of 2.5 to 4.0 mCi/kg, and frequently that damage was irreversible. The fatal consequence of severe mucosal damage was averted in two dogs by colectomy and an ileorectal anastomosis.

Research Organization:
Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA
OSTI ID:
7075601
Journal Information:
Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 73:1; ISSN RAREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English