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BIOLOGICAL COUNTERMEASURES IN SPACE RADIATION HEALTH.  Ann R. Kennedy, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Phil., PA

     Exposure to the types of ionizing radiation encountered during space travel may cause a number of health - related problems, but the primary concern is related to the increased risk of cancer induction in astronauts. The major types of radiation considered to be of importance during space travel are protons and particles of high atomic number and high energy (HZE particles). It is now clear that biological countermeasures can be used to prevent or reduce the levels of biological consequences resulting from exposure to radiation from protons or HZE particles, including the induction of cancer from these types of ionizing radiation. Research related to the dietary additions of agents to minimize the risks of developing health-related problems which can result from exposure to space radiation will be reviewed.