The Dependence of Skin Lesions on the Depth-dose Distribution from β-irradiation of People in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Abstract

A detailed study was made of the conditions of exposure of 56 victims of the Chernobyl accident who suffered radiation lesions in the skin. The most typical conditions were experimentally reconstructed in order to investigate the specific characteristics of the distribution of doses to the skin according to depth for different exposure conditions. The absorbed doses at depths of 7 mg cm-2 and 150 mg cm-2 were calculated on the basis of measurements with multilayer skin dosemeters. The patients were classified into four groups. Dosimetric characteristics for each group were compared with the clinical pictures to establish the critical factors in the occurrence of lesions. It was demonstrated that the depth-dose distribution of beta-radiation to the skin is of great influence not only for the early effects of radiation but also for the later effects. Radiation lesions in the skin led to death if the area of the lesions exceeded about 50% of the total body surface, and if the doses to the skin were about 200-300 Gy at 7 mg cm-2 and more than about 30 Gy at 150 mg cm-2.

Hyperspectral imaging for early detection of oxygenation and perfusion changes in irradiated skin

“…Other potential exposures include "dirty bomb" detonations and nuclear accidents, such as Chernobyl. 1,2 The recent events in the Fukushima Prefecture of Japan 3 have highlighted the need for the development of noninvasive and rapid techniques to evaluate patients for potential ionizing radiation exposure. Radiological attacks or accidents often do not allow for appropriate implementation of dosimetry strategies, and current tests for determining total dose exposure in a post-hoc fashion require technical expertise and do not generate real-time results.…”

Cutaneous manifestations of acute radiation exposure: a review

“…Additionally, with a detailed history and identification of the source of radiation exposure, it may be possible to recreate exposure conditions and actually make an estimate of the amount of radiation absorbed at different tissue depths, as was done following the β‐radiation accident in Chernobyl. In this study, absorbed doses of radiation were measured at depths of 7 and 150 mg/cm 2 using multilayer skin dosimeters 41 . The findings of this study demonstrated that the depth–dose distribution of β‐radiation to the skin has both early and late implications, in that radiation lesions to the skin led to death if the area of the lesions exceeded approximately 50% of the total body surface area and if doses to the skin were approximately 200–300 Gy at 7 mg/cm 2 and more than about 30 Gy at 150 mg/cm 2 41 …”

“…In this study, absorbed doses of radiation were measured at depths of 7 and 150 mg/cm 2 using multilayer skin dosimeters 41 . The findings of this study demonstrated that the depth–dose distribution of β‐radiation to the skin has both early and late implications, in that radiation lesions to the skin led to death if the area of the lesions exceeded approximately 50% of the total body surface area and if doses to the skin were approximately 200–300 Gy at 7 mg/cm 2 and more than about 30 Gy at 150 mg/cm 2 41 …”

“…The combination of clinical observations, along with the analysis of dosimetric data (if possible), provides the necessary framework to accurately assess prognosis and proceed with appropriate treatment methods 41 …”

Radiation

“…Several studies indicate that accidental radiation exposures leading to localized injury are often associated with WBE and occur more frequently [10,[16][17][18][19][20]. Many of these localized injuries involve the hand (Fig.…”