A technique for the determination of the spatial distribution of fissionable radionuclides in lung sections using Lexan

A particularly simple, rapid, new autoradiographical technique is described which allows the accurate, quantitative localisation of fissionable material in histological sections of biological tissues. The technique is illustrated using rat lung containing 235UO2 particles. Sections of tissue fixed with osmium tetroxide and mounted on Lexan slides are irradiated with thermal neutrons and subsequently etched to reveal fission fragment tracks from 235U. The tissue section itself remains intact on the slide throughout processing and may be viewed directly superimposed upon the track distribution. (author)