Abstract
For getting the biological data for the risk estimate of radon exposure, the biological effects for the tracheal epithelial cells were examined by in vitro exposure to radon. For radon exposure of cells, a ceramic radon source that was developed for radon experimental research was used. The radon gas was injected to the incubator through the filter. The exposed dose of radon was estimated by the method of passive dose measurement using CR39. The tracheal epithelial cells were isolated from Wister rat (WM/NIRS), and cultured by the air-liquid interface method. This culture method is expected to be especially useful for exposure to radon. The biological effects were examined by micronuleus assay as a function of exposed doses. When the exposed radon concentration was 1000 Bq/m3 , significant effects have not detected by micronuleus assay after one weeks exposure. The micronuclei rate was 2 times higher than control when the exposed radon concentration was 100,000 Bq/m3 . [J Radiat Res 44:406 (2003)]
