National Radiobiology Archives
by Charles R. Watson and Tanya Wood
The NRA houses paraffin embedded tissue blocks, histopathology slides, and clinical notes for various animal life-span studies performed at National Laboratories and universities. |
Introduction
The U.S. National Radiobiology Archives (NRA) program operated by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for the U.S. Department of Energy was transferred to the USTUR operations at WSU in 1996. The initial transfer included a limited collection of paraffin- embedded tissue blocks, microscope slides, clinical notes, pathologist observations, and several pieces of computer equipment. These specimens have been cataloged and are housed with the USTUR archives.
The NRA is an archival program that was started in 1989 and whose original mission was to collect, organize, catalog data, laboratory notebooks, and animal tissue specimens from government (i.e. DOE and its predecessor agencies) sponsored radiobiology life-span studies performed at various National Laboratories and universities since the 1940's. As such the NRA is part of a greater international program that includes the European Radiobiology Archives and the Japanese Radiobiology Archives (Gerber, Watson, Sugahara and Okada 1996). These materials thus form a unique resource with great potential value for future studies. The NRA includes valuable archived records and specimens that are stored and maintained in a centralized facility and are available for additional future research or analyses if and when needed.
Life Span Studies Using Rodents and Beagle Dogs
The major thrust of the early studies was to determine the level, rate, and extent of the radiological and toxicological effects induced by ingested or inhaled radionuclides, including plutonium and other transuranics. Thus, over several decades, a variety of life-span studies using beagle dogs were initiated at the Argonne National Laboratory, University of California at Davis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute, and the University of Utah. The results and many microscope slides from these life-span studies, totaling some 6000 dogs, have been transferred to the NRA and are now available to researchers.
From Stannard, J. N. “Radioactivity and Health: A History”. Springfield, VA: National Technical Information Service (1988). |
Likewise, results from some 30,000 mice from studies comparing various strains have been transferred from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory. In addition, records, data, and many microscope slides from life-span studies on some 4,000 rats that were used for plutonium inhalation studies at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and biokinetic and pathological data from experiments on more than 300 nonhuman primates have been added to the archive collection. Although the original archive collection at the NRA also included formalin and or alcohol- fixed tissues and thousands of radiographic films, concerns over the storage of such hazardous materials, coupled with budgetary constraints, led to proper disposal of these items which therefore were not transferred to the Registries with the other materials.
Like its sister program, the National Human Radiobiology Tissue Repository, materials from the NRA are made freely available to scientists and other investigators. Persons interested in access to the material and information in the database are encouraged to contact those responsible for the respective domain (ERA, NRA, JRA). Addresses to which such requests can be made are given below. Typically, such demands will be initiated by telephone or personal conversation which will help to refine the initial query and lead to a formal written response. The information can either be handled at the respective centers where the data base is stored, or subsets of the data base can be sent to users in a format appropriate to their computer hardware/software. However, it must be emphasized that the data remain the intellectual property of the scientists who carried out the studies and of the institutions which sponsored and funded them. Any use of the material in the archives for further evaluation and publication will require the written consent of these institutes/scientists. This consent must be secured by the person making the application for use. A brief description of the NRA collection follows:
NRA Animal Collection Summary Database
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
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The ANL life span dog studies in the NRA collection include the 1960 144Ce, 1961 137Cs, and the 1968 60Co external gamma ray studies. These studies were designed to compare the toxicity of injected biologically soluble radioisotopes such as 137Cs, which irradiate the whole body more or less uniformly, with injected biologically insoluble radioisotopes such as 144Ce, which is preferentially retained in the phagocytic cells of the reticuloendothelial system including bone marrow, and whole body irradiation using an external gamma source. Data tables available from these studies include breeding history, kennel identification, body weight, biopsy, histopathology, and cause of death records for 688 experimental and 144 control animals.
Extensive external exposure studies of various strains of rodents were conducted at ANL. Those conducted between 1953 and 1970 (when the JANUS reactor program started) were documented by Dr. Doug Grahn in ANL-94-26. The JANUS neutron and gamma studies of B6CF1 mice are described in ANL-95-3. The data from these studies is available at the National Radiobiology Archives.
Tissue specimens (slides and blocks) from the ANL dog and rodent studies are available at Northwestern University. Contact Drs. Gayle E Woloschak or Tom Fritz for more information about use of the tissues.
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL)
Data tables from the radiation leukemogenesis studies performed by Dr. Eugene Cronkite on mice using low dose x or gamma irradiation have been given to the NRA. Likewise, data tables from Dr. Victor Bond's neutron induced leukemogenesis study in some 10,000 mice exposed to low dose rate neutrons of varying energies are also included in the NRA collection. However, since the BNL investigators are still actively working to complete their analyses of these experiments, these files are currently unavailable for external release.
Colorado State University (CSU)
These beagle dog studies were designed to evaluate the effects induced by either prenatal or early post natal exposure to whole body 60Co gamma radiation. Although the principal disease data are not SNODOG- coded, the data tables include histopathology, and cause of death data for 3360 life span and control animals.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
The PNNL life span dog studies initiated in 1959 were designed to evaluate the induction of cancer by the inhalation of plutonium in a variety of physicochemical forms including 239PuO2, 238PuO2 , or 239Pu(NO3)4. The Archives have detailed histopathology, clinical data, and an undetermined number of histopathology slides and paraffin blocks from 2176 life span and ancillary animals. The PNNL rodent studies on the other hand were designed to define the shape of the dose-response curve for lung tumor induction in rats following inhalation of 239PuO2. Data tables for 3631 young adult SPF Wister females, including 1070 sham-exposed controls, are available.
University of California at Davis (UCD)
The UCD life span dog studies were conducted using external exposure to x-rays and internal exposures to 90Sr or 226Ra. Tumor induction and life span shortening were the focus of the acute x-ray exposure experiments. Studies were also performed with strontium to evaluate its toxicity and health risks from 90Sr fallout. In addition, life span studies with 226Ra were designed to simulate the ingestion of radium by the radium dial painters. The Archives have individual health summary data, paraffin blocks, and histopathology slides from 1437 dogs, including 218 control animals, from the 90Sr and 226Ra studies.
Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute (ITRI)
The ITRI life span beagle dog studies began in the 1960's and included inhalation exposures to various radionuclides including 90Sr, 144Ce, 90Y, 91Y, and 137Cs. In the 1970's, ITRI initiated experiments with 238Pu and 239Pu that were designed to help resolve the 'hot particle controversy'. The NRA holdings include individual summaries for some 1500 of these life span animals including 225 controls. Some studies and data analyses are still ongoing and these records and data files have been promised to the NRA when the research is completed. Twelve separate rodent studies have been conducted at ITRI over the years and are in various stages of completion. Electronic data files and records of the following studies are scheduled for transfer to the NRA soon:
- Effects of Repeated Inhalation Exposure of Mice to Aerosols of 144CeO2
- Effects of Repeated Inhalation Exposure of Mice to Aerosols of 239PuO2
- Production of Liver Cancer and Chromosome Aberrations by Thorotrast and 239Pu citrate
- Effects of Repeated Inhalation Exposure of Rats to Aerosols of 144CeO2
- Effects of Repeated Inhalation Exposure of Rats to Aerosols of 239PuO2
- Cytogenetic Effects of Inhaled 244Cm2O3 in Rats
- Pulmonary Carcinogenicity of Relatively Low Doses of Beta Irradiation from Inhaled 144CeO2 in Rats
- Effects of Thoracic and Whole- Body Exposure of Rats to X-rays
- Effects of Combined Exposure of Rats to 239PuO2 and Whole-Body X-Radiation
- Carcinogenicity of Inhaled 239PuO2 and Beryllium Metal in Rats
- Effects of Inhaled 239PuO2 and Cigarette Smoke in Rats
- Effects of Combined Exposure of Rats to Inhaled 239PuO2 and a Chemical Carcinogen (NNK)
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL)
Metabolism and toxicity studies on primates using 237Np, 237Pu, 238Pu, 241Am, and 90Sr were carried out at LBL by Dr. Patricia W. Durbin. The study with 90Sr was the most comprehensive of the five studies of long-term metabolism in the Rhesus monkey. The NRA holdings include individual animal summary data including uptake and other biokinetic information on bones, plasma, and excreta, from 192 animals. However, the data are sequestered until LBL has completed their analyses.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
To date, two of the ORNL gamma ray life span studies on mice, one initiated in 1977 using 4728 animals and the second in 1987 using 5037 animals, have been donated to the NRA. The main focus of these studies was to evaluate the ability of gamma irradiation to induce cancer. The NRA holds individual summary information and histopathology data on these 9765 mice.
Data from a third study conducted before 1979, in which 19,200 RFM mice were exposed to a single exposure combination of 137Cs followed by gamma irradiation at ten weeks, are also available.
University of Utah
In the early 1950's, the Radiobiology Laboratory at the University of Utah began a series of life span studies in dogs using a variety of radionuclides including: 239Pu, 226Ra, 228Ra, 228Th, 90Sr, 241Am, 249Cf, 252Cf, 253Es, and 224Ra. These studies were designed to elucidate the health risks and other deleterious effects resulting from exposure to these radionuclides. The Archives have individual animal summary information and histopathology data on 1248 life span animals including 132 controls.
NRA Document Archives
Dr. William J. Bair Collection
This document collection, obtained after Dr. Bair's retirement from the Life Sciences Center at PNNL in April 1993, contains the supporting materials for the Hanford Sheep Studies, PNNL Beagle Inhaled Radionuclide Studies, Plutonium Inhalation Beagle Study, the Health, Environment and Safety Research Project, and the Hanford Life Sciences Symposia.
Colorado State University (CSU) Collection
This collection includes an incomplete set of Annual Reports, the final report to the Food and Drug Administration, excellent documentation of the CSU electronic database, and the support documentation for the transfer of the final electronic database to the NRA.
Dr. Miriam Finkel Collection
These documents describe work carried by Dr. Miriam Finkel at Argonne National Laboratory and were donated by Dr. Patricia Durbin, LBL, in October 1994. The Finkel Collection includes the 1960-1965 226Ra animal records, cage sheets, gross pathology, and final diagnoses. The gross pathology laboratory log books from several other studies are available:
- 1950-1951--MsTh, RdTh, Thx, and RdTh-Thx
- 1951--intravenously injected single dose 226Ra
- 1951--intravenously injected single dose 239Pu
- 1954--intravenously injected 45Ca 1956--single dose intravenously injected 90Y
- 1954--intravenously injected 90Sr 1958--ingested 90Sr
- No date-- 210Po
There are no electronic or specimen data available for these studies at this time.
Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute (ITRI) Rodent Studies Collection
This collection currently consists of a finding aid document assembled by Dr. David Lundgren in April 1993. The document describes 12 studies conducted at ITRI beginning in 1972.
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL) Non-human Primate Studies Collection
The materials in this collection are related to the 90Sr, 238Pu, and 241Am studies conducted at LBL in primates. These materials, donated to the NRA in 1990, are being stored as a sequestered donation; the materials are not available for general access until release by LBL. The agreement between the NRA and Dr. Durbin states the LBL laboratory director must authorize access to these materials. This sequestered collection consists of photocopies; all original data records and research materials remain in the custody of Dr. Durbin at LBL.
LBL Rodent Studies Collection
In October 1994, Dr. Edward Alpen prepared a finding aid to inventory the supporting documentation and specimens for the LBL rodent studies to be transferred to the NRA. These studies include 78 harderian gland life span experiments using 9800 animals.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Beagle Studies Collection
These documents are related to the PNNL life-span beagle studies of inhaled 239Pu02, 238Pu02, and 239Pu(NO3)4 conducted by Drs. James F. Park and Gerald E. Dagle. The materials available include animal clinical records, radiobioassay count sheets, and photocopies of the associated laboratory notebooks. The original laboratory notebooks are in permanent storage at the Battelle PNNL Records Center and are available upon request through the PNNL Records Management staff. This collection was transferred to the Document Archives in July 1995.
PNNL Rat Studies Collection
These documents are related to the PNNL low-level 239Pu02 inhalation rodent studies conducted by Dr. Charles L. Sanders. The materials available include animal clinical records, radiobioassay count sheets, and photocopies of the associated laboratory notebooks. The original laboratory notebooks are in permanent storage at the Battelle PNNL Records Center and are available upon request through the PNNL Records Management staff. This collection was transferred to the Document Archives in June 1994.
PNNL Mouse Studies Collection
These documents are related to the PNNL low-level radon inhalation rodent studies conducted by Dr. Fred Cross. The materials available include animal clinical records, radiobioassay count sheets, and photocopies of the associated laboratory notebooks. The original laboratory notebooks are in permanent storage at the Battelle PNNL Records Center and are available upon request through the PNNL Records Management staff. This collection was transferred to the Document Archives in August 1995.
Dr. J. Newell Stannard Collection
This collection contains the supporting documentation for the comprehensive 2000 page history Radioactivity and Health: A History authored by Dr. J. Newell Stannard and originally published in 1988 by Battelle Press. Professor Stannard began donating these documents in 1989. Included in this collection are rare journal articles, Vignettes of Radiation Workers interviews recorded on videotape produced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the original audio cassette tapes and unedited and edited transcriptions of personal interviews between Dr. Stannard and key individuals in the field of radiation research. The redacted transcripts of the interviews are available at the DOE Reading Room located in the library at Washington State University - Tri- Cities.
A finding aid document which describes the entire Stannard Collection is available upon request. The NRA Stannard Collection compliments the University of Tennessee Library Radiation Research Collection which contains Dr. Stannard's original writings.
Dr. Arthur H. Smith Collection
Transferred to the NRA in December 1992, this is a complete collection of articles from Dr. Smith's work in life span radionuclide exposure research with fowl, primarily chickens, and in rabbits at the University of California at Davis from 1948 through 1987. Also included are materials on radio-labeled fly migration studies.
Dr. Roy C. Thompson Collection This collection contains the extensive collection of reference materials used by Dr. Thompson in writing his book, Life-Span Effects of ionizing Radiation in the Beagle Dog which was published by Battelle Press in 1989. Documents include Pacific Northwest Laboratory Annual Reports, General Electric-Hanford Reports, and the Reassessment of Radiation Dose in the Enewetok and Bikini Atolls, 1975 - 1983. The Thompson Collection was transferred to the NRA in January 1993.
University of California at Davis Collection
The UC Davis Collection contains clinical records and supporting documentation for each beagle dog in the X-ray, 226Ra, and 90Sr, life span studies conducted at the Laboratory for Energy-Related Health Research (LEHR). These files include annual progress reports, and clinical records for both control and exposed animals. A typical folder contains a lineage chart, histopathology report, pathology report, all clinical work-ups, whole body counts, electrocardiograms, and pictures/slides of the animal (or remarkable tissue growths) for the life of each animal. The X-ray folders include multiple samples of hair from each dog. This collection was shipped to the NRA in June 1992.
University of Rochester Collection
This is a comprehensive, bound collection from the Atomic Energy Commission sponsored research conducted at the University of Rochester School of Medicine work between 1943 and 1962. This collection also includes portraits of Drs. Stafford L. Warren and Dr. Charles R. Dunham.
Conclusion
The NRA document collections are complemented by the NHRTR collection of books, reports and other materials representing the reference collection of the radium dial painter studies carried out at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later, Argonne National Laboratory. Taken together, the NHRTR and NRA document collections and library holdings constitute an important and unique radiobiological resource of considerable magnitude. Future plans call for consolidation and cataloguing of these collections, as well as augmentation through an active program of solicitation. The NRA has already received some documents from Professor Herman Cember, and is actively considering suitability and relevance of acquisition of other collections, such as the reprint collections of the late Professor E. Dale Trout and Herbert M. Parker.
References
Gerber, G. B., Watson, C.R.; Sugahara, T.; Okuda, S. International Radiobiology Archives of Long- Term Animal Studies, Vol. 1, Descriptions of Participating Institutions and Studies. Report DOE/RL-96-72. U.S. Department of Energy, Richland, WA. July 1996.
How to contact the ERA:
Prof. Dr. Dr. Georg Gerber
B-2400 Mol, de Heylanden 7, Belgium
Tel. 00-32-14--317903 (at home usually in the afternoon)
Tel. 00-32-14-335199 (at the SCK/CEN usually in the morning)
Fax 00-32-14-314793
E-mail ggerber@sckcen.be
How to contact the NRA:
Dr. Anthony C. James
United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries
Washington State University – Tri-Cities
2710 University Dr.
Richland, WA 99352, USA
Tel. 509-372-7315
Fax 509-375-1817
E-mail tjames@tricity.wsu.edu
Dr. Charles R. Watson
United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries
Washington State University -- Tri-Cities
2710 University Dr.
Richland, WA 99352, USA
Tel. 509-372-7472
Tel. 509-946-9484 (at home)
Fax 509-375-1817
E-mail cwatson@tricity.wsu.edu
How to contact the JRA:
Prof. Dr. Tsutomu Sugahara
Health Research Foundation (HRF)
Pasteur Bldg 5F
130-5, Tanaka-Monzen-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606, Japan
Tel. 81-75-702-1141
Fax 81-75-702-2141
Prof. Dr. Shigifumi Okada
Nuclear Systems Association
Toranomon #5 Mor Bldg. 7F
1-17-1 Toranonmon, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105, Japan
Tel. 81-3-3506-9071
Fax 81-3-3506-9075
Dr. Shin Saigusa (Scientific Secretary, JRA)
Radiation Dosimetry Division
Department of Health Physics
Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute
Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-11, Japan
Tel. 81-29-282-5208
Fax 81-29-282-6768
E-mail shin@lddbhost.tokai.jaeri.go.jp or MXG03436@niftyserve.or.jp
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