Experimental study on relative biological effectiveness of tritium and risk estimates of genetic damage

The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and the genetic effect of tritium internal exposure compared with those of Co-60 gamma rays external exposure are studied in mice. Two different irradiation models are used: 1) irradiation by single intake of tritium, or by Co-60 gamma rays external exposure with gradually decreasing doses simulating the exponential decreasing function of tritium in the mouse body; 2) irradiation by continual intake of tritium, or by Co-60 gamma rays external exposure at constant dose rates. The biological effective end points observed in this study are dominant lethal mutations, dominant skeleton mutations, survival rates of primary oocytes and spermatogonia and chromosome aberrations in spermatocytes. The experimental results show that the RBE values of tritium would be 2.24 to 2.99 in the dose range of 0.02-0.06 Gy/day. The risk estimates of genetic damage from dominant skeleton mutations are 10959/10(6). Gy for tritium beta rays and 3605/10(6). Gy for Co-60 gamma rays.