Abstract |
Assessment of the total hazard associated with 85Kr exposure must include evaluation of the dose from gas in the body tissues which, in turn, requires detailed knowledge of its in vivo kinetic behavior. Study of kinetic behavior is the evaluation of the capacity of a tissue or aggregate of tissues to hold 85Kr and the rate(s) at which it will reach that capacity during an exposure or, alternately, give up the krypton when the exposure ceases. A common measure of the capacity of the tissue for 85Kr is the partition coefficient which is the ratio of the equilibrium concentration (volumetric) of 85Kr in the tissue to the concentration in the air being breathed. The data reported together with the observations of Tobias et al and Hytten indicate that time required for saturation and desaturation may be directly correlated to weight of the animal. |