The Lethal Effects of Pulsed Neutron or Gamma Irradiation in Mice

Abstract

The relative potencies of high-dose-rate pulsed radiation exposures as compared to radiation exposures of several minutes' duration on the acute mortality responses of mice exposed to neutrons or gamma rays were investigated. The results indicate no significant differences as a function of radiation dose rate within either the neutron irradiated or gamma irradiated groups in terms of LD/sub 50(30)/'s, mean survival times, or slopes of regression lines. Comparisons of LD/sub 50(30)/'s for the two groups indicate a neutron RBE of approximates 2.5 for production of acute mortality. (P.C.H.)