The Hematological Effects of Ionizing Radiations

Abstract

The objectives of the Health Division of the Plutonium Project were essentially (a) to study the fundamental and comparative biological action of external radiations and internally administered radioactive materials, (b) to apply the findings for the protection of individuals who worked in the Project, and (c) to use the findings generally for the protection of the public which was potentially in danger of exposure to these physical hazards. The hematologic studies2 conducted on the Plutonium Project were divided into four main categories, namely, the effects of acute3 whole-body exposure to externally administered penetrating radiation, the effects of chronic4 whole-body exposure to externally administered penetrating radiations, acute toxicity of parenterally and enterally administered radioactive compounds, and chronic toxicity of parenterally and enterally administered radioactive isotopes. In order to correlate properly studies on the peripheral blood effects with those occurring in the hemopoietic t...