The Effect of Alpha Irradiation on Retention of Particles in the Rat Lung

1 January 1988

journal article
Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Annals of Work Exposures and Health

Vol. 32, 1007-1015
https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/32.inhaled_particles_vi.1007

Abstract

Lung retention was followed for up to 640 days in groups of rats that had inhaled different amounts of a mixed actinide oxide containing ²³⁹Pu and ²⁴¹Am, and/or fused aluminosilicate particles (FAP) labelled with ⁵⁷Co. Lung retention of ²³⁹Pu in the rats exposed at the lowest level (initial lung deposit 0.1 kBq, total alpha activity) was greater than that of ⁵⁷Co, the difference being attributed to faster dissolution of the FAP. At the higher levels of the mixed actinide oxide (2 and 9 kBq, total alpha activity), greater retention of the mixed actinide oxide occurred, and at the highest level greater retention of FAP also occurred, these effects being attributable to impaired clearance resulting from alpha radiation induced lung damage.

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