The Induction of Chromosome Aberrations in Human Lymphocytes by in Vitro Irradiation with α-particles from Plutonium-239

Summary

The yields of unstable chromosome aberrations induced in human lymphocytes by α-particles from plutonium-239 have been measured. Plutonium citrate solution was mixed with heparinized blood so that doses of 13–160 rad were delivered in 24 hours. Dicentric aberration yields (Y) fitted best to the linear expression Y = 3·72 ± 0·23 × 10⁻³ rad⁻¹. Inclusion of a 6·5 rad point resulting from a 1·7 hour irradiation raised the yield coefficient insignificantly to 3·75 ± 0·24 × 10⁻³. The aberration yields are in good agreement with data from curium-242 α-particles obtained in this laboratory but they are much lower than those obtained in two other laboratories. Reasons for this disagreement are examined.