EPR dosimetry with tooth enamel: A review

Abstract

When tooth enamel is exposed to ionizing radiation, radicals are formed that can be detected using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) techniques. EPR dosimetry using tooth enamel is based on the (presumed) correlation between the intensity or amplitude of some of the radiation-induced signals with the dose absorbed in the enamel. In the present paper a critical review is given of this widely applied dosimetric method.The first part of the paper is quite fundamental and deals with the main properties of tooth enamel and several of its model systems (e.g., synthetic apatites). Considerable attention is also devoted to the numerous radiation-induced and native EPR signals, and the radicals responsible for them. The relevant EPR detection, identification and spectrum analysing methods are reviewed from a general point of view. Finally, the need for solid state modelling and the linearity of the dose response are investigated.The second part is devoted to the practical implementation of EPR dosimetry using enamel. It concerns the preparation of samples, specific irradiation problems, spectrum acquisition and it is described how the dosimetric signal intensity and dose can be retrieved from the EPR spectra. Special attention is paid to the energy dependence of the EPR response and to sources of uncertainties. Results of and problems encountered in international intercomparisons and epidemiological studies are also dealt with.In the final chapter the future of EPR dosimetry with tooth enamel is analysed.

Evolution and Optimization of Tooth Models for TestingIn VivoEPR Tooth Dosimetry

“…Fattibene and Callens (18) have reviewed the literature on the EPR background signal observed in tooth enamel. They conclude that it is composed of both a native signal associated with the enamel, independently of exposure to ionizing radiation and a radiation-induced component due to medical or environmental/lifestyle exposures to ionizing radiation.…”

Retrospective and emergency dosimetry in response to radiological incidents and nuclear mass-casualty events: A review

“…Sixty-seventy percent of bone mineral is carbonated calcium hydroxyapatite Ca10[(PO4)6-x(CO3)x ][(OH)2-y (CO3)y], the hydroxyl end-member of the apatite group (Fattibene and Callens, 2010). The main EPR signals from this material, in the X-band (9 GHz), are shown in Fig.…”

“…More discussion about possible UV and X-ray dose components is provided in Section 2.1.2.2 below and further discussion can be found in the review by Fattibene and Callens (2010).…”

“…As applications in retrospective dosimetry progressed (e.g., Ishii et al, 1990, Serezhenkov et al, 1992, Romanyukha et al, 1994, Chumak et al, 1999, so too did technique development. EPR of teeth is now a well-established method for evaluating absorbed doses to individuals under many circumstances (Egersdorfer et al, 1996, Pass, 1997, IAEA, 2002, Fattibene and Callens, 2010, Ainsbury et al, 2011, Sullivan et al, 2013and Degteva et al, 2015. The method has been tested against biodosimetry methods (e.g., Nakamura et al, 1998and Khvostunov et al, 2015 and conventional dosimeters (e.g., Romanyukha et al, 2000b), and in multiple inter-laboratory comparisons (e.g., Chumak et al, 1996, Wieser et al, 2000a.…”

Optical detection of paramagnetic centres: From crystals to glass-ceramics

“…Magnetic resonance technique, particularly electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) (or alternatively, electron spin resonance, ESR) spectroscopy is the powerful method for structural characterization of paramagnetic point defects in solids [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] which allows the determination (1) nature and valence of the impurity; (2) nature and number of ligands; (3) symmetry of the complex; (4) possible presence of nearby defects; (5) true metal-ligand distance and its dependence on pressure and temperature etc. The optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) allows the investigation of the structure of luminescence and colour centres [11].…”