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Biological monitors for low levels of ionising radiation

Abstract

The biological effects of high doses of ionising radiation are well understood and the methods of measurement of these doses well established. However the effects due to extremely low doses remain by and large uncertain. This is because of the fact that at such low doses no gross symptoms are seen. In fact, at these levels the occurrence of double strand breaks leading to the formation of chromosomal aberrations like dicentrics is rare and chances of mutation due to base damage are negligible. Hence neither chromosomal aberration studies nor mutational assays are useful for detecting doses of the order of a few milligray. Results of exhaustive work done by various laboratories indicate that below 20 mGy the chromosomal aberration technique based on scoring of dicentrics cannot distinguish between a linear or a threshold model. However indirect methods like unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) appear to be promising for the detection of radiation exposures due to low levels of radiation. This report reviews the available literature on the biological effects of low levels of ionising radiation and highlights the merits and demerits of the various methods employed in the measurement of UDS and SCE. The phenomenon of  More>>
Authors:
Mohankumar, M N; Jeevanram, R K [1] 
  1. Safety Research and Health Physics Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam (India)
Publication Date:
Dec 31, 1995
Product Type:
Technical Report
Report Number:
IGC-167
Reference Number:
SCA: 560101; PA: AIX-29:018451; EDB-98:054817; SN: 98001953199
Resource Relation:
Other Information: DN: 98 refs., 11 figs., 4 tabs.; PBD: 1995
Subject:
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, APPLIED STUDIES; AUTORADIOGRAPHY; BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS; BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS; CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS; DNA REPAIR; EPIDEMIOLOGY; HUMAN POPULATIONS; LOW DOSE IRRADIATION; PERSONNEL MONITORING; RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS; REVIEWS; SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES; SOMATICALLY SIGNIFICANT DOSE
OSTI ID:
598357
Research Organizations:
Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam (India).
Country of Origin:
India
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Other: ON: DE98618817; TRN: IN9800137018451
Availability:
INIS; OSTI as DE98618817
Submitting Site:
INIS
Size:
41 p.
Announcement Date:
Jun 04, 1998

Citation Formats

Mohankumar, M N, and Jeevanram, R K. Biological monitors for low levels of ionising radiation. India: N. p., 1995. Web.
Mohankumar, M N, & Jeevanram, R K. Biological monitors for low levels of ionising radiation. India.
Mohankumar, M N, and Jeevanram, R K. 1995. "Biological monitors for low levels of ionising radiation." India.
@misc{etde_598357,
title = {Biological monitors for low levels of ionising radiation}
author = {Mohankumar, M N, and Jeevanram, R K}
abstractNote = {The biological effects of high doses of ionising radiation are well understood and the methods of measurement of these doses well established. However the effects due to extremely low doses remain by and large uncertain. This is because of the fact that at such low doses no gross symptoms are seen. In fact, at these levels the occurrence of double strand breaks leading to the formation of chromosomal aberrations like dicentrics is rare and chances of mutation due to base damage are negligible. Hence neither chromosomal aberration studies nor mutational assays are useful for detecting doses of the order of a few milligray. Results of exhaustive work done by various laboratories indicate that below 20 mGy the chromosomal aberration technique based on scoring of dicentrics cannot distinguish between a linear or a threshold model. However indirect methods like unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) appear to be promising for the detection of radiation exposures due to low levels of radiation. This report reviews the available literature on the biological effects of low levels of ionising radiation and highlights the merits and demerits of the various methods employed in the measurement of UDS and SCE. The phenomenon of radio-adaptive response (RAR) and its relation to DNA repair is also discussed. (author). 98 refs., 11 figs., 4 tabs.}
place = {India}
year = {1995}
month = {Dec}
}