Comparison of Irradiation by Californium 252 and Radium on the Skin of Swine

Abstract

Irradiation of pig skin was carried out with surface applicators containing radium (35 rads/hr.) and californium 252 (12–13 rads/hr.). Observations were made over a 100-day period and skin reactions scored. The dose required to produce a moist reaction which did not heal within fifty days was 8,400 rads for radium and 1,725 rads for californium; this yielded an RBE of 4.9. The results indicate very little recovery or repopulation during irradiation by californium 252.