The Mutagenicity of α Particles from Plutonium-238

Abstract

Cell killing and the frequency of mutation to thioguanine resistance (hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase enzyme deficiency) were measured after irradiation of cultured hamster cells with 250kV X-rays and with 238Pu .alpha. particles. The frequency of mutants induced by these .alpha. particles, for a given level of cell killing, was approximately twice that induced by X-rays. This agrees with expectations from previously published data on mutation induction by radiations of high linear energy transfer, but disagrees with another recently published report of the relative mutagenicity of 238Pu .alpha. particles. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.