Using SAXs to measure radiation induced cateract in fish at Chernobyl and Fukusyhima

In Kind facilities: AP22 - 9 shifts on I22, small angle scattering and diffraction

This project studied the lenses of fish from lakes contaminated by the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents. The lens of the eye can be sensitive to radiation, potentially causing cataract formation. This study used a synchrotron facility to study the spacing of proteins in the lenses of fish, an early indicator of cataract.

This highly sensitive method of lens analysis could not find any influence of radiation on cataract formation in fish from contaminated lakes.