X-Ray-Induced Chromosome Aberrations in the Corneal Epithelium of the Chinese Hamster

When the corneal epithelium of the Chinese hamster is irradiated with ionizing radiation in vivo, a rectilinear relationship is observed between the yield of chromosome aberrations and the dose of x-rays within a dose range of 10 to 150 r. There is no threshold effect for chromosome breakage down to the 10-r level. The mean breakage rate of 0.00352 breaks per cell per roentgen is in very close agreement with the data obtained on other mammalian tissues, both in vitro and in vivo.