Toxicity of injected 137CsCl in beagle dogs

Studies of the metabolism, dosimetry and effects of intraveneously administered 137CsCl in the beagle dog are being conducted to aid in assessing the biologic consequences of exposure to 137Cs that might occur in the event of certain nuclear accidents. Effects of the chronic, relatively uniform whole-body exposures produced by 137Cs are being compared with other diverse radiation dose patterns resulting from inhalation of radioactive aerosols. Fifty-four dogs that were injected with 137CsCl and 12 control dogs are being observed for their life spans. Thirty-four of the dogs injected with 137CsCl have died: 11 of hematologic dyscrasias, 13 of neoplastic diseases and 10 from other diseases. Five control dogs have died; one from a neoplastic disease and four from other diseases. Serial observations are continuing on the surviving 20 137CsCl injected dogs and seven control dogs