Late Nonstochastic Changes in Pig Skin after β Irradiation

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Late radiation-induced changes in pig skin have been assessed following irradiation with .beta.-rays from a 22.5- or 15-mm-diameter 90Sr/90Y source and a 19- or 9-mm-diameter 170Tm source. Late damage, in terms of dermal atrophy, was assessed 2 yr after irradiation from measurements of dermal thickness in irradiated and normal skin. After 90Sr irradiation maximum atrophy, a dermal thickness of 40-50% of the control value, occurred at a dose of .apprx. 40 Gy [gray] from the 22.5-mm source and .apprx. 75 Gy from the 15-mm source. In the case of 170Tm and 19- and 9-mm sources produced similar degrees of atrophy at equal doses. Maximum atrophy occurred at .apprx. 70 Gy, when the dermis was .apprx. 70% of the thickness of normal skin. Significant late tissue atrophy was seen at doses, from both types of radiation, which only produced minimal erythema in the early reaction. Such late reactions need to be taken into account when revised radiological protection criteria are proposed for skin.