Irradiation of laboratory animals by neutron activated dust: development and application of the method – first results of international multicenter study

«Radiation and Risk», 2016, vol. 25, No. 4, pp.111-125

DOI: 10.21870/0131-3878-2016-25-4-111-125

Authors

Stepanenko V.F.¹ – Head of Lab., D. Sc., Biol., Prof. A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia. Contacts: 4 Korolyov str., Obninsk, Kaluga region, Russia, 249036. Tel.: (484) 399-70-02; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Ivanov S.A.¹ – Deputy Director, MD. A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Kolyzhenkov T.V.¹ – Senior Researcher, C. Sc., Biol. A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Petukhov A.D.¹ – Research Assistant A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Yaskova E.K.¹ – Lead. Researcher, C. Sc., Biol. A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Belukha I.G.¹ – Lead. Researcher, C. Sc., Biol. A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Skvortsov V.G.¹ – Head of Lab., C. Sc., Biol. A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Ivannikov A.I.¹ – Lead. Researcher, C. Sc., Phys.-Math. A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Khailov A.M.¹ – Senior Researcher, C. Sc., Tech. A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Akhmedova U.A.¹ – Engineer. A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Bogacheva V.V.¹ – Engineer A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Anokhin Yu.N.¹ – Senior Researcher, C. Sc., Med. A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Orlenko S.P.¹ – Research Assistant. A. Tsyb MRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Rakhypbekov T.K.² – Rector, MD, Prof. Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan.
Dyussupov A.A.² – Vice-Rector, C. Sc., Med. Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan.
Chaizhunusova N.Z.² – MD, Prof. Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Sayakenov N.B.² – Associate Prof., C. Sc., Med. Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Uzbekov D.E.² – Research Assistant, C. Sc., Med. Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Saimova A.Z.² – Research Assistant, C. Sc., Med. Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Shabdarbaeva D.M.² – Head of Dept., MD, Prof. Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Pivina L.N.² – Associate Prof., C. Sc., Med. Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Kairkhanova Y.O.² – Research Assistant, C. Sc., Semey State Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan.
Kaprin A.D.³ – Director General, Corresponding Member of RAS, MD, Prof. NMRRC, Obninsk, Russia.
Otani K.⁴ – Prof. Hiroshima University, Japan
Endo S.⁴ – Prof. Hiroshima University, Japan
Sato K.⁴ – Prof. Hiroshima University, Japan
Kawano N.⁴ – Prof. Hiroshima University, Japan
Fujimoto N.⁴ – Prof. Hiroshima University, Japan
Hoshi M.⁴ – Prof. Hiroshima University, Japan.
Takatsuji T.⁵ – Prof. Nagasaki University, Japan.
Nakashima M.⁵ – Prof. Nagasaki University, Japan.
Shichijo K.⁵ – Prof. Nagasaki University, Japan.
Sakaguchi A.⁶ – Prof. University of Tsukuba, Japan.
Kato H.⁶ – Prof. University of Tsukuba, Japan.
Onda Y.⁶ – Prof. University of Tsukuba, Japan.
Toyoda Sh.⁷ – Prof. University of Sciences of Okayama, Japan.
Sato H.⁸ – Prof. Ibaraki, Prefectural University of Health Science, Japan.
Skakov M.K.⁹ – Deputy Director, D. Sc., Phys.-Math., Prof., Academician of KAS. National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan.
Vurim A.D.⁹ – Deputy Director on tests, C. Sc., Phys.-Math. National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan.
Gnyrya V.S.⁹ – Head of NF “Baikal-1”. National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan. Azimkhanov A.S.⁹ – Deputy Chief of NF “Baikal-1”. National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan.
Kolbaenkov A.N.⁹ – Leading Specialist. National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan.
Zhumadilov K.Sh.¹⁰ – Prof., L. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan.

Abstract

The radionuclide ⁵⁶Mn (T_1/2=2.58 hours) is one of the dominant beta- and gamma-emitters within few hours after the neutron irradiation of soil dust following nuclear explosion in atmosphere. The effects of exposure to residual radioactivity from nuclear explosions are the subject of discussions and research of the consequences of nuclear tests and the atomic bombing. Special experimental device was constructed for irradiation of laboratory rats by ⁵⁶Mn powder. Neutron activation of powdered MnO₂ was performed by using nuclear reactor IVG.1M (experimental facility “Baikal-1”, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan) with neutron fluence of 4·10¹⁴ n/cm². The obtained ⁵⁶Mn-containing powder was sprayed over the animals (rats of Wistar line) with pneumatic system, the rats were placed in an isolated box. The initial activity of radioactive ⁵⁶Mn powder was 2.74·10⁸ Bq. Exposition of rats to radioactive powder was carried out by two scenarios: a) the experimental box was supplied with air filter only (targeted for animal’s breathing); b) the experimental box was supplied with the system of forced ventilation. After exposure to radioactive powder of ⁵⁶Mn radioactivity in organs and tissues of the rats was measured. The used equipment was calibrated in A. Tsyb MRRC (Obninsk, Russia) using standard source of ⁵⁶Mn obtained by neutron activation in the research nuclear reactor. Absorbed fractions of energy in organs and tissues of rats was calculated in A. Tsyb MRRC (Obninsk, Russia) using the Monte-Carlo code (version MCNP-4C) with the corresponding library of nuclear constants for electrons and gammas and using mathematical phantom of an experimental rat. Assessment of internal radiation doses was performed on the basis of the results of measuring of ⁵⁶Mn activity in organs and tissues of experimental animals and on the basis of calculated values of absorbed fractions of internal exposure to photons and electrons. The first results of this international multicenter study showed that the most irradiated organs and tissues of the experimental animals are: the large intestine, small intestine, stomach, lungs, and skin. In the first scenario of exposure (without forced ventilation) accumulated absorbed doses of internal radiation to the large intestine, small intestine, stomach, lungs and skin were 1.65 Gy, 1.33 Gy, 0.24 Gy, 0.10 Gy and 0.076 Gy respectively. In the second scenario of exposure (with forced ventilation) the accumulated absorbed doses of internal radiation to the large intestine, small intestine, stomach, lungs and skin were 0.45 Gy, 0.15 Gy, 0.11 Gy, 0.03 and 0.073 Gy respectively. The results of assessments of internal doses from neutron-activated ⁵⁶Mn in powder, sprayed over experimental animals can be used for understanding of biological effects of this type of radiation, which is the subject of future publications.

Key words
Neutron activation, ⁵⁶Mn, radioactive dust, inhalation of radioactive dust, ingestion of radioactive dust, radiation safety, laboratory rats, internal radiation dosimetry, method Monte-Carlo, internal radiation dose.

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