The effect of x-irradiation on aqueous media containing traces of oxygen

The effect of X-irradiation on small amounts of oxygen dissolved in 1 mM potassium chloride solution, tap water or Eagle's tissue culture medium has been followed with polarographic electrodes. Oxygen is removed from all these solutions down to concentrations corresponding to a few parts per million in the gas phase. Small amounts of hydrogen are also produced by irradiation and can be measured polarographically. Except in Eagle's medium, hydrogen peroxide is formed in the anoxic solutions, and molecular oxygen can be detected after irradiation when catalase is present in the solution. A non-volatile polarographically reducible substance is generated by irradiation of anoxic Eagle's medium. It is not decomposed by catalase but decays spontaneously in solution at a slow rate.