Radiation chemistry in the 1990s: pressing questions relating to the areas of radiation biology and environmental research.

This preview discusses the possible future application of ionizing radiation in the study of the free-radical chemistry of some aqueous systems. With respect to the present state of knowledge in the area of chemistry related to radiobiology, ionizing-radiation damage to DNA will continue to be a major focus of radiobiological interest. It is noted that the purine-base, free-radical chemistry is still poorly understood, as is the chemistry of the direct effect of ionizing radiation on DNA. The role of transition metal ions, their interaction with hydrogen peroxide and the superoxide radical are areas of increasing interest, as are other reactions of the superoxide radical. The eventual chemical effects, on DNA, of the reactions of these species resemble those of the action of ionizing radiation and are therefore apt to be studied radiation-chemically. In contaminated water pollution control, procedures termed 'advanced oxidation processes' are gaining in importance. They are based on the action of the .OH radical. Radiation techniques will provide the tools for understanding the underlying reactions better.