Late effects of thermal neutron irradiation in mice.

Abstract

1. Pathologic effects caused in mice by irradiation in the thermal column (thermal neutrons and gamma rays) were qualitatively indistinguishable from those of x-radiation. 2. The relative biological effectiveness of thermal neutron radiation was essentially the same for most late effects, such as induction of leukemia and other neoplasms and reduction of longevity, as for acute lethality and acute hematologic injury. 3. The relative biological effectiveness of thermal neutrons was several times higher for cataract induction than for acute lethality. 4. The RF mouse, like man, is susceptible to induction of myeloid leukemia by relatively low doses of ionizing radiation.