Environmental biodosimetry: a biologically relevant tool for ecological risk assessment and biomonitoring

Biodosimetry, the estimation of received doses by determining the frequency of radiation-induced chromosome aberrations, is widely applied in humans acutely exposed as a result of accidents or for clinical purposes, but biodosimetric techniques have not been utilized in organisms chronically exposed...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental radioactivity 2003, Vol.66 (1), p.121-139
Main Authors: Ulsh, B, Hinton, T.G, Congdon, J.D, Dugan, L.C, Whicker, F.W, Bedford, J.S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Chromosome aberrations
Cytogenetic Analysis - methods
Cytogenetic Analysis - standards
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Ecosystem
Environmental biodosimetry
Environmental Exposure - adverse effects
Environmental Exposure - analysis
Fluorescent in-situ hybridization
Freshwater
Incidence
Lymphocytes
Pseudemys scripta
Radiation Monitoring - methods
Radiation Monitoring - standards
Reproduction - radiation effects
Risk Assessment - methods
Risk Assessment - standards
Sensitivity and Specificity
Trachemys scripta
Translocation, Genetic - genetics
Translocation, Genetic - radiation effects
Turtles - blood
Turtles - genetics
Turtles - physiology
Yellow-bellied slider turtle
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Summary:Biodosimetry, the estimation of received doses by determining the frequency of radiation-induced chromosome aberrations, is widely applied in humans acutely exposed as a result of accidents or for clinical purposes, but biodosimetric techniques have not been utilized in organisms chronically exposed to radionuclides in contaminated environments. The application of biodosimetry to environmental exposure scenarios could greatly improve the accuracy, and reduce the uncertainties, of ecological risk assessments and biomonitoring studies, because no assumptions are required regarding external exposure rates and the movement of organisms into and out of contaminated areas. Furthermore, unlike residue analyses of environmental media, environmental biodosimetry provides a genetically relevant biomarker of cumulative lifetime exposure. Symmetrical chromosome translocations can impact reproductive success, and could therefore prove to be ecologically relevant as well. We describe our experience in studying aberrations in the yellow-bellied slider turtle as an example of environmental biodosimetry.
ISSN:0265-931X
1879-1700
DOI:10.1016/S0265-931X(02)00119-4