Toxicity of inhaled 144CeCl3 in beagle dogs. VIII

Studies on the metabolism, dosimetry, and effects of inhaled 144CeCl3 in the Beagle dog are continuing to provide information that will aid in assessing the biological consequences of inhaling 144Ce such as might be released in certain nuclear accidents. Studies on the tissue distribution of inhaled 144CeCl3 have shown that the 144Ce deposited in lung is translocated at a moderately rapid rate to liver and skeleton and that significant radiation doses are accumulated by all three organs. Fifty-five dogs that inhaled 144CeCl3 and 15 control dogs were placed in a longevity study and are being observed for their lifespan. The 144Ce dogs had long-term retained burdens with values ranging from 20 to 2900 μCi. Thirty-one of the dogs exposed to 144CeCl3 have died; 8 at 21 to 44 days after inhalation with signs attributed to severe bone marrow damage and associated pancytopenia; 2 at 138 and 144 days with radiation pneumonitis; 3 at 309 to 874 days with hepatic necrosis; 1 at 510 days with marrow aplasia; 1 at 375 days with pulmonary fibrosis; and 16 at 799 to 3081 days, most with neoplasms or myeloproliferative disorders. In this last group, 1 dog had an osteosarcoma, 3 had squamous cell carcinomas of the maxilla, 2 of the latter also having primary pulmonary neoplasms, 5 had hemangiosarcomas of the liver, 1 had a hemangiosarcoma of the nasal cavity, 2 had myelogenous leukemia, 1 had myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia, 1 had spinal cord ependymomas, and 2 did not have neoplasms. One of these had severe myelomalacia and the other diffuse hepatic lipidosis with severe degeneration. Two controls died; 1 with a thyroid carcinoma and 1 with aspiration pneumonia. Serial observations are continuing on the 24 surviving 144CeCl3 dogs and 13 control dogs. (U.S.)