Dosimetry Techniques in Radiation Exposure Analysis

Dosimetry encompasses the quantitative assessment of energy deposited by ionising radiation in matter, with critical applications in medical treatment, occupational monitoring and post-accident response. Techniques may be broadly classified into physical, chemical and biological approaches. Physical methods exploit properties of materials that trap charge carriers or paramagnetic centres when irradiated, such as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in tooth enamel or fingernails, and luminescence in crystalline substrates. Chemical dosimetry utilises radiation‐induced changes in solution composition or colour, exemplified by Fricke and alanine systems. Biological assays, including cytogenetic markers and gene expression profiles, serve in biodosimetry to estimate doses from observed cellular effects. Retrospective dosimetry leverages fortuitous dosimeters—everyday objects like mobile phone resistors, car windscreen glass or personal electronic components—to reconstruct absorbed dose after unplanned exposures. Recent advances address challenges such as signal fading, background interferences and individual variability through improved cavity designs, refined calibration protocols, multi‐dosimeter strategies and Monte Carlo modelling. Calibration curves, dose‐response characterisation and corrections for environmental factors ensure accuracy. Integrated approaches combining physical and biological metrics are increasingly adopted to deliver robust estimates across a wide dose range, from milligray to several grays. The continued development of non‐invasive in vivo methods and portable instruments enhances readiness for emergency triage and global radiological protection.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A novel X-band electron paramagnetic resonance resonant cavity has been engineered with a narrow detection aperture optimised for in vivo fingernail dosimetry. The rectangular TE101 mode cavity achieves high microwave magnetic field concentration at the nail interface, enabling rapid acquisition of radiation‐induced signals. Preliminary tests with DPPH standards and irradiated fingernails demonstrated sufficient sensitivity to detect grayscale doses within seconds, confirming the instrument’s potential for emergency dose estimation without sample extraction.

Dosimetry Techniques in Radiation Exposure Analysis publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in dosimetry techniques in radiation exposure analysis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR): Spectroscopic technique detecting unpaired electron spins induced by ionising radiation in solid samples.

Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL): Method measuring light emitted from certain crystalline materials when stimulated, proportional to absorbed dose.

Thermoluminescence (TL): Technique quantifying light release upon heating irradiated materials, used to estimate prior radiation exposure.

Retrospective Dosimetry: Reconstruction of absorbed dose after an exposure event using fortuitous or environmental dosimeters.

Fortuitous Dosimeter: Everyday object not intended as a dosimeter but capable of retaining a measurable radiation‐induced signal.

Signal Fading: Time-dependent decay of trapped charge or paramagnetic centres, affecting dose estimates if uncorrected.

Calibration Curve: Plot relating dosimeter response to known radiation doses, essential for translating signal intensity into absorbed dose.

References

1. The design of X-band EPR cavity with narrow detection aperture for in vivo fingernail dosimetry after accidental exposure to ionizing radiation. Scientific Reports (2021).
2. Feasibility study of using earbuds and wireless headphones for retrospective dosimetry. Radiation Measurements (2023).
3. Evaluation of physical retrospective dosimetry methods in a realistic accident scenario: Results of a field test. Radiation Measurements (2021).
4. The Potential Use of Car Windscreens for Post-Accident Dose Reconstruction in the Periphery of Nuclear Installations. Applied Sciences (2020).
5. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimetry in irradiated alumina substrates from mobile phone resistors. Radiation and Environmental Biophysics (2017).