Studies on Short-lived Internal α-emitters in Mice and Rats

Abstract

The distribution of intraperitonally-injected ²²⁴Ra was studied in NMRI mice and WISTAR rats. The highest activity concentrations were found in the skeleton. High radium concentrations were also obtained in the spleen (in mice higher than in rats, increasing with age). The calculated values were 12 rads/day for initial skeletal dose-rate and 30 rads for total averaged skeletal dose by supporting 1 μCi/kg ²²⁴Ra. The dose relationships of the short-lived ²²⁴Ra were contrasted to those of the long-lived ²²⁶Ra. Osteosarcoma-induction related to skeletal dose is discussed and compared with results of ²²⁶Ra known from the literature.