Effect of Nitrogen and Hydrogen Gas under Pressure on the Radiosensitivity of the Broad Bean Root

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Abstract
Roots of Vicia f aba seedlings were irradiated with X-rays while under pressure of hydrogen or nitrogen. Reduction in growth rate of the roots was taken as a measure of radiation damage. In the presence of 1 atm.of air, the effectiveness of a given dose was reduced to 70% if hydrogen was present at 52.5 aim. and to 55% if the hydrogen pressures was raised to 107 atm. If nitrogen was present, in addition to 1 atm. of air, at pressures of 20, 50, or 120 atm. the effectiveness of the dose was reduced to about 40%, or by an amount approximately equivalent to the reduction in damage afforded by the removal of oxygen. In the absence of air, hydrogen and nitrogen at pressure were not observed to affect radiosensitivity. A free-radical mechanism is suggested to explain the hydrogen pressure effects. The protective action of nitrogen is thought to be due to its physical properties.

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