Measurements of clinically significant doses of ionizing radiation using non-invasive in vivo EPR spectroscopy of teeth in situ.
There are plausible circumstances in which populations potentially have been exposed to doses of ionizing radiation that could cause direct clinical effects within days or weeks, but there is no clear knowledge as to the magnitude of the exposure to individuals. In vivo EPR is a method, perhaps the only such method that can differentiate among doses sufficiently to classify individuals into categories for treatment with sufficient accuracy to facilitate decisions on medical treatment. Individuals with significant risk then can have appropriate procedures initiated immediately, while those without a significant probability of acute effects could be reassured and removed from the need for further medical treatment. In its current state, the in vivo EPR dosimeter can provide estimates of absorbed dose of +/-25 cGy in the range of 100-->1000 cGy. This is expected to improve, with improvements in the resonator, the algorithm for calculating dose, and the uniformity of the magnetic field. In its current state of development, it probably is sufficient for most applications related to terrorism or nuclear warfare, for decision-making for action for individuals in regard to acute effects from exposure to ionizing radiation.
Swartz
Harold M
HM
Dartmouth Medical School, EPR Center for Viable Systems, Hanover, NH 03755, USA. harold.swartz@dartmouth.edu
Iwasaki
Akinori
A
Walczak
Tadeusz
T
Demidenko
Eugene
E
Salikov
Ildar
I
Lesniewski
Piotr
P
Starewicz
Piotr
P
Schauer
David
D
Romanyukha
Alex
A
D000465:Algorithms; D001822:Body Burden; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D014070:Tooth / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*