Osteometry and autoradiography of the long bones of skeletons of women exposed to internal radiation at 13--19 years of age.

Lengths of long bones of skeletons were examined in 25 women first exposed to large skeletal doses of radiation (alpha particles from radium) at the age of 13--19 years. Mean lengths did not differ significantly between two subgroups based on age at first exposure to radiation (i.e., 13--16 vs. 17--19 years). Autoradiographs of femora of some women who ingested radium at 13-15 years of age showed evidence for bone growth when blood levels of radium were low (i.e., after ingestion of radium). These findings indicate no detectable effect of large skeletal doses of radiation on growth in adolescent and post-adolescent periods.