Deposition and Localization of Polonium-210 Intratracheally Instilled in the Hamster Lung as Determined by Autoradiography of Freeze-Dried Sections

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Abstract
Freeze-dry autoradiography was used to study the deposition, localization and clearance mechanisms of 210Po in the lungs of Syrian golden hamsters following single or multiple intratracheal instillations. This method of exposure to 210Po resulted in a relatively uniform dose of .alpha. radiation to the entire peripheral lung, including alveoli, respiratory and terminal bronchioles. Relatively little radiation dose was delivered to the tracheal and bronchial epithelium. Most of the 210Po was originally deposited in the alveolar region; clearance, via the airways and bloodstream, began immediately after instillation. Single or multiple intratracheal instillations of 210Po in saline are appropriate methods of delivering a relatively uniform dose of .alpha. radiation to the bronchiolar-alveolar region of small experimental animals, particularly when compared to localized doses which result from the administration of 210Po on particles. Considerable concern has been raised recently about the carcinogenic hazard of plutonium isotopes released from nuclear reactor fuel reprocessing.