title: Minimum detectable dose as a measure of bioassay programme capability.
abstract: This paper suggests that minimum detectable dose (MDD) be used to describe the capability of bioassay programmes for which intakes are expected to be rare. This allows expression of the capability in units that correspond directly to primary dose limits. The concept uses the well established analytical statistic minimum detectable amount (MDA) as the starting point, and assumes MDA detection at a prescribed time post-intake. The resulting dose can then be used as an indication of the adequacy or capability of the programme for demonstrating compliance with the performance criteria. MDDs can be readily tabulated or plotted to demonstrate the effectiveness of different types of monitoring programmes. The inclusion of cost factors for bioassay measurements can allow optimisation.
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PO Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA. gene.carbaugh@pnl.gov
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Carbaugh
mesh_terms: D001822:Body Burden; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D008954:Models, Biological; D009657:North Carolina; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014915:Whole-Body Counting
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants; D011868:Radioisotopes; D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes