Toxicity of inhaled alpha-emitting radionuclides - status report

The toxicity of inhaled alpha-emitting radionuclides is being investigated in a series of interrelated dose-response studies. Dogs, rodents, and nonhuman primates are being exposed to monodisperse and polydisperse aerosols of the oxides of 239Pu, 238Pu, 241Am, and 244Cm to measure the relative importance of average organ dose, local dose around particles, specific activity, chemical form, particle size, and number of particles inhaled to the development of biological effects. The influence of animal species, age at exposure, and pre-existing lung disease are also being studied because they may influence the toxicity of these radionuclides. 6 references, 3 figures, 1 table