Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) biodosimetry

Radiation-induced electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals were first reported by Gordy et al. [Proc. Nail. Acad. Sci. USA 41 (1955) 983]. The ap plication of EPR spectroscopy to ionizing radiation dosimetry was later pro posed by Brady et al. [Health Phys. 15 (1968) 43]. Since that time EPR dosi metry has been applied to accident and epidemiologic dose reconstruction, r adiation therapy. food irradiation, quality assurance programs and archaeol ogical dating. Materials that have been studied include bone, tooth enamel, alanine and quartz. This review paper presents the fundamentals and applic ations of EPR biodosimetry. Detailed information regarding sample collectio n and preparation. EPR measurements, dose reconstruction. and data analysis and interpretation will be reviewed for tooth enamel. Examples of EPR biod osimetry application in accidental overexposures, radiopharmaceutical dose assessment and retrospective epidemiologic studies will also be presented. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.