Review of retrospective dosimetry techniques for external ionising radiation exposures

Abstract

The current focus on networking and mutual assistance in the management of radiation accidents or incidents has demonstrated the importance of a joined-up approach in physical and biological dosimetry. To this end, the European Radiation Dosimetry Working Group 10 on 'Retrospective Dosimetry' has been set up by individuals from a wide range of disciplines across Europe. Here, established and emerging dosimetry methods are reviewed, which can be used immediately and retrospectively following external ionising radiation exposure. Endpoints and assays include dicentrics, translocations, premature chromosome condensation, micronuclei, somatic mutations, gene expression, electron paramagnetic resonance, thermoluminescence, optically stimulated luminescence, neutron activation, haematology, protein biomarkers and analytical dose reconstruction. Individual characteristics of these techniques, their limitations and potential for further development are reviewed, and their usefulness in specific exposure scenarios is discussed. Whilst no single technique fulfils the criteria of an ideal dosemeter, an integrated approach using multiple techniques tailored to the exposure scenario can cover most requirements.

Heterogeneous radiolysis of urea. Implications in astrobiology and prebiotic chemistry

“…The solutions of urea show a good response to ionizing radiation, and this behavior must be studied in depth due to the potential use of the molecule as a retrospective dosimeter. Since, dosimetry needs a joined-up approach and new methods development [19], the use of organics like urea is very promising.…”

The harmonization process to set up and maintain an operational biological and physical retrospective dosimetry network: QA QM applied to the RENEB network

“…To date, a variety of markers (dicentric chromosome assay (DCA), micronuclei (MN), gamma H2AX, Premature Condensed Chromosome (PCC), Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) methods) used for dose assessment in cases of an accidental radiation exposure have been identified as the most appropriate biological and physical retrospective indicators (Lloyd et al 2000;Ainsbury et al 2011;IAEA 2011;Beinke et al 2013;Fattibene et al 2014). These dosimetry techniques have been adapted to the special needs of various emergency scenarios.…”

EPRBioDose 2013: EPR applications and biological dosimetry

“…Due to the limited halflife of lymphocytes in peripheral blood, however, assays for assessing chromosomal damages as dicentrics (DC), premature chromosome condensation fragments (PCC) and micronucleus frequency (MN) are applicable for more recent exposures only. In addition, they allow detection of partial-body exposure with the PCC assay and -for doses \100 mGy -with the MN assay (Ainsbury et al 2011). At EPRBioDose 2013, recent applications of these and other assays for assessment of occupational doses and doses to the population were presented.…”