The use of human hair as biodosimeter

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes 2014-12, Vol.94, p.272-281
• Main Authors: Tepe Çam, S., Polat, M., Seyhan, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorption, Radiation; Biologic dosimeter; Biological Assay - methods; Body Burden; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electron spin resonance; Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy - methods; Female; Hair; Hair - chemistry; Hair - radiation effects; Hair Color; Humans; Ionizing radiation; Radiation Dosage; Radiation Protection - methods; Radiometry - methods; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2014.08.021

The potential use of human hair samples as biologic dosimeter was investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The hair samples were obtained from female volunteers and classified according to the color, age and whether they are natural or dyed. Natural black, brown, red, blonde and dyed black hair samples were irradiated at low doses (5–50Gy) and high doses (75–750Gy) by gamma source giving the dose rate of 0.25Gy/s in The Sarayköy Establishment of Turkish Atomic Energy Authority. While the peak heights and g-values (2.0021–2.0023) determined from recorded spectra of hair were color dependent, the peak-to-peak line widths were varied according to natural or dyed hair (ΔHpp: 0.522–0.744mT). In all samples, the linear dose–response curves at low doses saturated after ~300Gy. In black hair samples taken from different individuals, differences in the structure of the spectrum and signal intensities were not observed. The EPR signal intensities of samples stored at room temperature for 22 days fell to their half-values in 44h in black hair, 41h in blonde and brown hairs, 35h in dyed black hair and in 17h in red hair. The activation energies of samples annealed at high temperatures for different periods of time were correlated well with those obtained in the literature. In conclusion, hair samples can be used as a biological dosimeter considering the limitations showed in this study. •Applied electron spin resonance spectroscopy to human hair used in biodosimetry.•Showed the limitations of hair samples using as a biological dosimeter.•Provided more systematic information on radiation-induced radicals in hair.•Found at least 3 different contributions in the RIS. That is the major finding of this work.