Synergistic Effect of Simultaneous Exposure to 60 Co Gamma Rays and 210 Po Alpha Rays in Diploid Yeast

The effect of the simultaneous exposure of diploid yeast to both $sup 60$Co gamma radiation and $sup 210$Po alpha radiation is studied, with reversion to arginine independence as the end point. It is found that gamma rays (low LET) are more effective in the presence of $sup 210$Po alpha rays (high LET) than when administered alone. This suggests a synergistic interaction of the effects of the two types of radiations. For a combination of 25 percent alpha dose and 75 percent gamma dose the synergism factor is found to be about 1.34 +- 0.09. (auth)