Micronucleus induction in human lymphocytes: Comparative effects of x rays, alpha particles, beta particles and neutrons and implications for biological dosimetry
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Gloucestershire (United Kingdom)
The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes has the potential for being a simple and rapid method for biological dosimetry. This technique has been used to study the induction of micronuclei in the blood from 12 donors after exposure to a range or radiations with track-averaged LET values ranging from 0.26 to 4 keV {mu}m{sup {minus}1}. Data based on the average response of the 12 individuals for 250 kVp X rays were found to agree well with results published previously from other laboratories using similar techniques. Low dose-limiting RBE values relative to 250 kVp X rays for the radiations studied were found to be 0.50 for strontium/yttrium-90 {Beta} particles, 6.9 for 20-23 keV {mu}m{sup {minus}1} {alpha} particles and 17 for 24 keV neutrons. The pattern of the variation of individual radiosensitivity was found to be complex and dependent on dose, and the evaluation of individual radiosensitivity based on the response at one dose only can be misleading. it is concluded that, although the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in blood lymphocytes is a radiobiologically appropriate technique to use for biological dosimetry, its practical implementation may be limited by a need to perform individual pre-exposure calibrations. 33 refs., 9 figs., 5 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 387396
- Journal Information:
- Radiation Research, Vol. 145, Issue 5; Other Information: PBD: May 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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