Cytogenetic effects of extremely low doses of plutonium-238 alpha-particle irradiation in CHO K-1 cells.
CHO K-1 cells were irradiated during the G1 phase with 0.5-6 rad of alpha particles. There was no appreciable cell killing in this low dose range. Significantly increased frequencies of sister-chromatid exchanges were induced by doses as low as 0.5 rad of alpha-particle irradiation, whereas increased numbers of chromosomal aberrations were observed following exposure to 2 rad. These results suggest that very low doses of alpha radiation may lead to radiation-induced genetic alterations.
Nagasawa
H
H
Laboratory of Radiobiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115.
Little
J B
JB
Inkret
W C
WC
Carpenter
S
S
Thompson
K
K
Raju
M R
MR
Chen
D J
DJ
Strniste
G F
GF
D000512:Alpha Particles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D007399:Interphase; D011005:Plutonium / Q000633:toxicity*; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000528:radiation effects
D011005:Plutonium