The effect of dose and water treatment on EPR signals in irradiated fingernails.

Fast and precise retrospective dosimetry is crucial in making decisions about medical procedures and safety measures in radiation accidents. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy has a potential as one of available biodosimetry methods for use in victims of such incidents. In this study, authors present the findings on EPR dosimetry in fingernails. Authors describe changes of EPR signals in unirradiated and irradiated nails in time after cutting and the effect of water on the mechanically induced and radiation-induced EPR signals measured ex vivo in the fingernails. The effect of dose on amplitude of the EPR signal was measured in nails that were soaked for 10 min in water after their irradiation. The obtained dose-response curves, which reflect changes in concentration of the radiation-induced RIS5 radicals, reach their maximum for doses of 40-60 Gy.