Biological dosimetry of absorbed radiation based on the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes

ABSTRACT

In the investigation of radiation accidents, it is important to estimate the dose absorbed by exposes persons in order to plan their therapy. For this task information such as magnitude of dose received, as external or internal radiation exposure, or partial or whole body irradiation are necessary. For example following exposure to high doses (>5 Gy) of low LET radiation the victim may need bone marrow transplantation and in case of partial body exposure to high doses the victim may be isolated and kept under very hygienic conditions in order to allow repopulation from surviving stem cells in the bone marrow. The document explains methods to estimate radiation doses, chromosomal aberrations and types of them; dose-response curves and dose estimates. It summarizes the Goiania accident and a retrospective dosimetry based on translocation frequencies