Concentration and distribution of 210Po in rats exposed to radon

Objective: To study the concentration and distribution of 210Po in rats exposed to radon and its daughters. Methods: Fifteen male wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, including one control group and two radon exposed groups with the cumulative doses of 100 WLM (low dose) and 200 WLM (high dose), respectively. Tissue samples containing 210Po were spontaneously deposited onto silvery discs with the diameter of 20 mm by means of wet ashing and electrodeposition. The concentration of 210Po in tissues were measured by α spectroscopy, and tissue burden were calculated. Results: The concentrations of 210Po were significantly different among the three dose groups in femur, liver, sex gland and hair (P<0.01) and in spleen and kidney (P<0.05). The concentrations of 210Po were different between the exposed groups and the control group in lung and soleus muscle (P<0.05), but there was no difference between the exposed groups. No significant differences were found in other organs or tissues. The concentrations of 210Po in lung, spleen and hair were higher than that in liver, bone and sex gland, the lowest was in intestine. The tissue burdens of liver, bone and sex gland were significantly different from those in other organs or tissues. Conclusions: 210Po was mainly distributed in lung, liver, spleen, femur and sex gland. The concentrations of 210Po in organs or tissues and the tissue burdens were correspondingly increased with the exposure dose of radon and its daughters. The results of this experiment provide a dosimetric basis for further studies on the carcinogenic effect of radon and its daughters. (authors)