Abstract Spin trapping with N-t-butyl-α-phenyl nitrone (PBN) and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-oxide (DMPO) has been utilized to identify the radicals in the gas phase of cigarette smoke. ESR spectra reveal predominantly alkoxy radicals which are continuously formed in smoke, but not directly in the flame.
In view of the enhanced biological damage caused by the "Auger nuclide" iodine-125, we have carried out quantitative ESR-studies of the radical formation in polycrystalline 5-iododoeoxyuridine (IUdR) resulting from the following internal or external radiation sources: (1) Decay of 3H, 125I or 131I in labeled IUdR; (2) Lanthanum K-photons corresponding to the K-edge of iodine; (3) 60Co gamma-rays. The results clearly indicate that inner shell ionization with its accompanying Auger effect as caused by the lanthanum K X-ray produces about 30% more free radicals per unit dose absorbed than 60Co gamma-rays, when considering the long-lived secondary radicals. Similarly, the concentration of free radicals is by about 30% higher in 125I- than in 131I-labeled IUdR at comparable doses. In the case of 3H-labeled IUdR the dose curve is almost identical with that observed for 125I-labeled IUdR. The results are discussed in terms of a localized radiation damage from low energy electrons.
