Somatic Chromosome Aberrations Induced by Human Whole-Body Irradiation: The "Recuplex" Criticality Accident

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Abstract
Frequency of chromosome aberrations in peripheral leukocytes obtained periodically from 3 men exposed to acute, whole-body, mixed 7-ray and fission-neutron radiation during the Recuplex criticality accident which occurred on April 7, 1962, at Hanford, Washington [USA]. The 1st samples were obtained 4 hr. after the irradiations, and the rest at intervals over the following 2 years. Physical dose estimates ranged from 12 rads to 47 rads. Chromosome aberrations of the expected types were seen in the 1st samples from all 3 men. Although the aberration yields were low, their frequencies are consistent with expectations based on the dose estimates and the coefficients of aberration production which have been determined by irradiation of whole-blood samples in vitro with X-rays and with fission neutrons. Measurement of chromosome aberration frequencies seems a practical method of biological dosimetry in the case of acute, whole-body exposures; although absolute agreement with physical dose estimates may not be perfect, expecially at very low doses, the method offers a quick "ball park" estimate on biological effect. Valid estimates may be made from leukocyte samples obtained many days, and perhaps weeks, after irradiation. Frequencies of aberrations dropped after several weeks, but some aberrations were still seen in the 2-year samples.