Observations on the biological action of plutonium-239

Summary

Experiments were staged on 284 albino rats. The effect of various amounts of plutonium-239 on the life span weight and peripheral blood as well as on the development of bone tumors was investigated. Time-effect and dose-effect curves were traced and their relationship with the life span, body weight, erythrocyte and leucocyte count was established. As shown, according to the life span criterion, the action of plutonium-239 was of a threshold character. The maximal noneffective dose of plutonium-239 was equal to 0.0025 microcurie per gm. With the administration of plutonium-239 in a dose of 0.0025–0.005 microcurie/gm a brief erythrocytosis is revealed, subsequently followed by stabilization of the number of erythrocytes at the initial level. When plutonium is given in higher doses an anemia leading to the death of the animal develops by the 14th–30th day of the experiment. Leucopenia occurring as a result of plutonium-239 administration is irreversible. At remote periods of plutonium intoxication in rats there occur tumors of the bone tissue, the incidence of which is about the same both in male and female animals.