Biological effects of 15 MeV neutrons

To study the RBE of 15 MeV neutrons for normal tissues, the responses of jejunal crypt cells, lung, and esophagus to 15 MeV neutrons generated from a deuterium-tritium neutron generator were compared with responses to 137Cs (cesium) γ- or 300 kVp x-rays in the mouse. For jejunal crypt cell survival, the RBE was 1.5 at a survival of 10 crypt cells per circumference. The RBE for pulmonary lethal dose LD/sub 50/160/ and esophageal LD/sub 50/28/ was 1.2 and 3.02, respectively. Data available in the literature on the effects of 15 MeV neutrons on tumor and normal tissues were reviewed; additional studies which should be performed prior to the clinical use of 15 MeV deuterium-tritium neutron generators are suggested