Biodosimetry using chromosomal translocations measured by FISH in a population chronically exposed to low dose-rate 60Co gamma-irradiation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the cumulative gamma-radiation personal exposure by analysing lymphocyte chromosome translocations using FISH painting and to compare FISH-derived biodoses with those derived from retrospective physical dose reconstruction in residents receiving chronic low dose-rate gamma-irradiation while living in radio-contaminated buildings.


METHODS
Chromosome translocation frequencies were evaluated by scoring 933 to 3077 metaphases under fluorescence microscope for each of the five male and four female exposed individuals after they had relocated from the radioactive environment for 34-82 months. FISH painting was conducted using kits of whole-chromosome probes for chromosomes 1, 2 and 4 in orange and 3, 5 and 6 in green and counter-stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). The retrospective dose estimation termed Taiwan Cumulative Dose (TCD) was conducted by assessment using detailed information of historical exposure and the environmental radioactivity for each apartment during previous residency.


RESULTS
A total of 20 244 well-prepared metaphases were scored. Biodoses were calculated from the translocation frequencies and physical doses were estimated from detail questionnaires for each individual. The translocation frequencies measured ranged from 2.2x10(-3) to 26.8x10(-3) translocations per cell and the dose equivalent from 52.2 to 992.2mSv. A good correlation was observed between the physical and biodoses. A plot of TCD against FISH-derived doses produced D(fish) =0.65 D(TCD), when fitted by a linear model, and D(fish) = 0.53 D(TCD)+ 1.26x10(-4 ) D(2)(TCD), when fitted with a linear-quadratic model. Given the scatter in the data and the extremely small quadratic dose contribution, neither model could be ruled out.


CONCLUSIONS
Chromosome translocations provide a valid method of dose estimation in extremely protracted low dose-rate gamma-radiation exposure. Validation of the TCD method by FISH-measured translocations supports the use of TCD for epidemiological studies.
Hsieh
W A
WA
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, 155, Section 2, Lih-Non Street, Taipei, Taiwan 112.
Lucas
J N
JN
Hwang
J J
JJ
Chan
C C
CC
Chang
W P
WP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000378:metabolism*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008677:Metaphase; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes