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Data

Archives





Northwestern University Radiobiology Archives (NURA) is a repository and archive consisting of digitized data, databases, lab notes, records, and paraffin tissue samples of animal irradiation studies from eight labs in the U.S.

This research was funded by the Atomic Energy Commission, later dubbed the Department of Energy, to deepen the understanding of biological response to potential atomic exposure or environmental contamination. The expansive amount of data produced on nearly 80K irradiated animals can help scientific labs advance understanding without replicating redundant testing while understand the data from the scientific experiments for mitigating health outcomes from potential radiological exposures.

The tissue studies were conducted on rodents, primates and extensively on beagle dogs as their life span was deemed longest for studies comparable to humans.  Exposures to radiation were in the form of ingestion, intravenous injection, inhalation, and external beam exposure during the years of from 1951 through 1996. In the below radial plot, we see the each lab abbreviated on the radius, with the species breed coded by color and totaled in each lab. These studies were contracted and approved for use in the AEC funded radiation studies. 

Rplot by Lori Snyder 2024

The Life-Span effects studies [primarily beagles] conducted at five major laboratories [Utah, Davis, Argonne, PNL, ITRI] began in 1950 at the University of Utah, funded by the Atomic Energy Commission, later named the Department of Energy. As labs concluded their studies, often subjects would be traded between labs for care or conclusion of combined studies.  The Life Span Studies devoted to the radiation testing of beagle dogs spanned 1950 – 1995, and with this data, need never to be performed at this scale again.

 

Funding for the studies concluded with the end of the cold war in the mid 1990’s.  In the graph below, all major radiation testing sites funded by AEC are represented in chronological order, which includes sites testing on primates at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, and mice at Oak Ridge National Lab. 

 

lollipop graph showing total years of studies, by Lori A. Snyder

The data generated from the studies was built on and eventually given to the U.S. National Radiobiology Archives, operating under Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, and then U.S. Transuranium within Washington State, where Dr. Chuck Watson accumulated all the data into an archive over the years 1989-1996. The data was released  entirety to Dr. Gayle Woloschak, of Northwestern University (NU) in 2010.  At NU, these materials complemented the existing Argonne animal Janus experiments, Lovelace ITRI and University of Utah tissue data archive materials accumulated between 1996-2010.

 

In earnest of sharing scientific data openly, we are excited to share our repository data here and online.
We have compiled the scientific data into each respective source below.

Science Data Sources

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab

Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute ITRI

Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute ITRI

See Data
Oak Ridge National Lab

Oak Ridge National Lab

Radiobiology Subjects

radiation panel

Of the thousands of animals that were subjected to radiation testing, we hold data on a significant amount of them tested at the eight major labs during the four decades of government funded testing.  

You may find data through sorting the below table with bold links to the data pages. Begin by selecting the amount of rows you would like to view at a time on the top left. You may also find the search function the most useful by searching abbreviated isotope (e.g. “90”, or “Sr” will provide all 90Sr studies).   Please reach out to us for more information and data as needed. 

 

Radiobiology by Labs

LabSpeciesIsotopeDelivery
Argonne National LabCanis familiaris, Beagle137CeInjection
Argonne National LabCanis familiaris, Beagle144CeInjection
Argonne National LabCanis familiaris, Beagle60Co, x-irradiation, Fission neutronsExternal gamma Beam
Argonne National LabMus musculus, B6CF1, LAF1, C3Hf, Mice60Co, x-irradiation, Fission neutronsExternal gamma Beam
Argonne National LabCanis familiaris, Beagle90SrInjection
Colorado State University LabCanis familiaris, Beagle239PuImplant
Colorado State University LabCanis familiaris, Beagle241AmImplant
Colorado State University LabCanis familiaris, Beagle60CoExternal gamma Beam, Implants
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteCanis familiaris, Beagle137CeInjection
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteCanis familiaris, Beagle144CeInhalation
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteRattus norvegicus, F344 rat144CeInhalation
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteCanis familiaris, Beagle238PuInhalation
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteCanis familiaris, Beagle238PuO2Inhalation
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteCanis familiaris, Beagle239PuInhalation, gamma, injection
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteMus musculus, C57Bi/6J,Mice239PuO2inhalation
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteRattus norvegicus, F344 rat239PuO2Inhalation
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteRattus norvegicus, F344 rat244CeInhalation
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteRattus norvegicus, F344 rat244CuInhalation
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteCanis familiaris, Beagle90SrInhalation
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteCanis familiaris, Beagle90Yt, 91YtInhalation
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteMacaca fascicularis, Cynomolgus monkeys 239PuO2Inhalation
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteMacaca mulatta, Rhesus monkey239PuO2Inhalation
Inhalation Toxicology Research InstituteMacaca, Chimpanzees239PuO2
Lawrence Berkeley National LabMacaca fascicularis, Cynomolgus monkeys 237Np Injection
Lawrence Berkeley National LabMacaca fascicularis, Cynomolgus monkeys 237PuInjection
Lawrence Berkeley National LabMacaca fascicularis, Cynomolgus monkeys 238PuInjection
Lawrence Berkeley National LabMacaca fascicularis, Cynomolgus monkeys 241AmInjection
Lawrence Berkeley National LabMacaca mulatta, Rhesus monkey241AmInjection
Lawrence Berkeley National LabMacaca mulatta, Rhesus monkey90SrInjection
Oak Ridge National LabMus musculus, BALB/c Bd - Mice137CeExternal gamma Beam
Oak Ridge National LabMus musculus, C3Hf/Bd - Mice137CeExternal gamma Beam
Oak Ridge National LabMus musculus, C57BL/6Bd - Mice137CeExternal gamma Beam
Oak Ridge National LabMus musculus, RFM - Mice137CsExternal gamma Beam
Oak Ridge National LabBurro Donkey182TaSee “Longevity of Irradiated Burros” 
Oak Ridge National LabBurro Donkey60CoSee “Longevity of Irradiated Burros” 
Pacific Northwest LabMus musculus, C57Bi/6J,Mice144CeInhalation
Pacific Northwest LabCanis familiaris, Beagle238PuInhalation, alpha
Pacific Northwest LabCanis familiaris, Beagle238PUO2Inhalation, alpha
Pacific Northwest LabSwine238PuO2inhalation, injection
Pacific Northwest LabRattus norvegicus, Wistar rat239PU169YbInhalation
Pacific Northwest LabCanis familiaris, Beagle239PUNO3Inhalation, alpha
Pacific Northwest LabRattus norvegicus, Wistar rat239PuNO3Inhalation
Pacific Northwest LabCanis familiaris, Beagle239PuO2Inhalation, alpha
Pacific Northwest LabMus musculus, C57Bi/6J,Mice239PuO2Inhalation
Pacific Northwest LabRattus norvegicus, Wistar rat239PUO2Inhalation, alpha
Pacific Northwest LabSheepI132Ingestion
University of California, DavisCanis familiaris, Beagle226RaInjection
University of California, DavisCanis familiaris, Beagle90SrIngestion
University of California, DavisCanis familiaris, BeagleXrayExternal gamma Beam
University of UtahCanis familiaris, Beagle224RaInjection
University of UtahCanis familiaris, Beagle226RaInjection
University of UtahCanis familiaris, Beagle228RaInjection
University of UtahCanis familiaris, Beagle228ThInjection
University of UtahCanis familiaris, St. Bernard238PUInjection
University of UtahCanis familiaris, Beagle239PuInjection
University of UtahCanis familiaris, St. Bernard239PuInjection
University of UtahCanis familiaris, St. Bernard241AmInjection
University of UtahCanis familiaris, Beagle249Ca, 252CaInjection
University of UtahCanis familiaris, Beagle253EiInjection
University of UtahCanis familiaris, Beagle90SrInjection

 

Canines

Beagles
  • ITRI = LRRI (Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute) (internal beam)
  • UC Davis (ingested, internal beam)
    • Cobalt, Strontium-fed/injected, radium injected.
  • ANL (external beam, Co60 )
  • PNNL (inhaled, Plutonium)
  • University of Utah (injected)
  • CSU (implant/injected, external beam Co60)
St. Bernard
  • University of Utah Radiobiology Lab  (Pu injected) 

Rodents

Mice
  • Davis (internal beam)
  • LRRI (Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute) (internal beam) 
  • ANL (external beam)
  • ORNL (expo gamma)
Rats
  • Davis (internal beam)
  • ITRI = LRRI (Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute) (internal beam) 

Primates

Macaques; Rhesus Monkeys
  • Davis (internal beam)
  • LRRI (Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute) (internal beam)
    • Inhaled 239PU02
Macaques; Cynomolgus Monkeys
  • ITRI = LRRI (Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute) (internal beam)
    • ITRI_92-93(ITRI-140) pg 43
Macaques: Rhesus & Cynomolgus 
  • LBNL Lawrence Berkeley National Lab 1996 Report.  (Cynomolgus and rhesus)
    • Americium [241Am citrate: 3.7-32 kBq.kg],
    • Plutonium [238Pu(IV) in 0.08 M sodium citrate, pH 3.5]
    • Strontium injected [90Sr 444″187 kBq.kgB1(range 220 to 904 kBq.k]
    • Tissue Data injected 90SR; 237PU; 238PU; 241-AM: Kidneys, gall bladder, liver, spleen, heart, lung, larynx & trachea, GI tract, stomach, intestine, brain, bladder, muscle, tongue, diaphragm, salivary glands, reproductive organs 
Chimpanzees
  • ITRI+LF Inhaled 239pu02 with same response as beagles

 Other Mammals

Rabbits
  • Utah – injected 90SR in new Zealand Red and Dutch rabbits.
Swine
  • Utah – fed 90SR to 74+ Pitman-Moore miniature swine
  • PNL (1958-) SR90 injected into Pitman-Moore miniature swine
Felines
  • Environmental Protection Agency (oral 89SR on 44 cats)
  • ANL – 90SR injection
Burros
  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Noted unusual longevity and resistance to radiological exposures. See “Longevity of Irradiated Burros” 182Ta, 60Co
Sheep                
  • PNL Battelle SR-90
Black Tailed  Deer
  • University of California Davis (fallout Cesium-137-[1969])

     

Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

References

 

Gerber, G B, Watson, C R, Sugahara, T, & Okada, S. International radiobiology archives of long-term animal studies. I. Descriptions of participating institutions and studies. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/376402 
Access pdf of “grey book”

Thompson, R. C., & Pacific Northwest Laboratory. (1989). Life-span effects of ionizing radiation in the Beagle dog: A summary account of four decades of research funded by the U.S. Department of Engery and its predecessor agencies. Richland, Wash.: Pacific Northwest Laboratory.  Access pdf of “red book”.

Life-span radiation effects studies in animals: What can they tell us: DOE symposium series 58.Report No. 0-87-079578-3. United States; 1986.  Access pdf  from IAEA

Dagle GE, Sanders CL. Radionuclide injury to the lung. Environ Health Perspect. 1984;55:129-137. doi:10.1289/ehp.8455129

Goldman, M, & Bustad, L K. (1972) BIOMEDICAL IMPLICATIONS OF RADIOSTRONTIUM EXPOSURE. Proceedings of a Symposium held at Davis, California, February 22–24, 1971. AEC Symposium Series 25. U.S.Atomic Energy Commission. Print.

Open Access Books

The following important radiation  books are available free and open access in digital commons and other open access sites. 

European Radiobiology, A., et al. (1996). International radiobiology archives of long-term animal studies. [Springfield, VA], [National Technical Information Service].

Hanford Life Sciences, S., et al. (1986). Life-span radiation effects studies in animals : what can they tell us? : proceedings of the Twenty-second Hanford Life Sciences Symposium held at Richland, Washington, September 27-29, 1983. [Oak Ridge, TN], Springfield, Va., Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy ; Available from National Technical Information Service, U.S. Dept. of Commerce.

Planning, et al. (1987). Atomic power in space : a history. Washington, DC, U.S. Department of Energy, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Reactor System, Development and Technology.

Stannard, J. N., et al. (1988). Radioactivity and health : a history. [Richland, Wash.], Springfield, Va., Pacific Northwest Laboratory ; Available from National Technical Information Service.

Thompson, R. C., et al. (1989). Life-span effects of ionizing radiation in the beagle dog : a summary account of four decades of research funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies. [Columbus, Ohio?], Pacific Northwest Laboratories.

United States Department of, E., et al. (1966). Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation. An Annotated Bibliography Covering the Years 1898–1957. Washington, D.C, United States. Dept. of Energy.

Additional Resources

  1. Visit the online Atomic History Archive, to see historical documents, testimonies, and media from the worlds atomic explosions. 
  2. See the Nuke Map simulator to visualize how different bombs through history would affect geographic locations. 
  3. USGS maps of radiation and terrestrial concentrations in US soils.
  4. Aeroradiometric data for North America from USGS has an interactive map.
  5. Remember Fukushima fallout maps.

 

Can I get tissue samples?

Yes, please contact us. 

Can I get more complex data?

Yes, please contact us.