ISO/TC 85/SC 2/WG 18 - Biological and physical retrospective dosimetry

The primary purpose of this document is to provide minimum acceptable criteria required to establish a procedure for retrospective dosimetry by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and to report the results. The second purpose is to facilitate the comparison of measurements related to absorbed dose estimation obtained in different laboratories. This document covers the determination of absorbed dose in the measured material. It does not cover the calculation of dose to organs or to the body. It covers measurements in both biological and inanimate samples, and specifically: a) based on inanimate environmental materials like glass, plastics, clothing fabrics, saccharides, etc., usually made at X-band microwave frequencies (8 GHz to 12 GHz); b) in vitro tooth enamel using concentrated enamel in a sample tube, usually employing X-band frequency, but higher frequencies are also being considered; c) in vivo tooth dosimetry, currently using L-band (1 GHz to 2 GHz), but higher frequencies are also being considered; d) in vitro nail dosimetry using nail clippings measured principally at X-band, but higher frequencies are also being considered; e) in vivo nail dosimetry with the measurements made at X-band on the intact finger or toe; f) in vitro measurements of bone, usually employing X-band frequency, but higher frequencies are also being considered. For biological samples, in vitro measurements are carried out in samples after their removal from the person or animal and under laboratory conditions, whereas the measurements in vivo are carried out without sample removal and may take place under field conditions. NOTE The dose referred to in this document is the absorbed dose of ionizing radiation in the measured materials.

The purpose of this document is to provide minimum criteria required for quality assurance and quality control, evaluation of the performance and to facilitate the comparison of measurements related to absorbed dose estimation obtained in different laboratories applying ex vivo X-band EPR spectroscopy with human tooth enamel. This document covers the determination of absorbed dose in tooth enamel (hydroxyapatite). It does not cover the calculation of dose to organs or to the body. This document addresses: a) responsibilities of the customer and laboratory; b) confidentiality and ethical considerations; c) laboratory safety requirements; d) the measurement apparatus; e) preparation of samples; f) measurement of samples and EPR signal evaluation; g) calibration of EPR dose response; h) dose uncertainty and performance test; i) quality assurance and control.

The purpose of this document is to provide criteria for quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC) and evaluation of the performance of biological dosimetry by cytogenetic service laboratories. This document addresses: a) the responsibilities of both the customer and the laboratory; b) the confidentiality of personal information, for the customer and the laboratory; c) the laboratory safety requirements; d) sample processing; culturing, staining and scoring, including the criteria for scoring for translocation analysis by FISH; e) the calibration sources and calibration dose ranges useful for establishing the reference dose‑response curves that contribute to the dose estimation from chromosome aberration frequency and the detection limit; f) the scoring procedure for translocations stained by FISH used for evaluation of exposure; g) the criteria for converting a measured aberration frequency into an estimate of absorbed dose (also appears as "dose"); h) the reporting of results; i) the QA and QC; j) Annexes A to F containing sample instructions for the customer, sample questionnaire, sample datasheet for recording aberrations, sample of report and fitting of the low dose-response curve by the method of maximum likelihood and calculating the uncertainty of dose estimate.

ISO 19238:2014 provides criteria for quality assurance and quality control, evaluation of the performance, and the accreditation of biological dosimetry by cytogenetic service laboratories. ISO 19238:2014 addresses a) the confidentiality of personal information, for the customer and the service laboratory, b) the laboratory safety requirements, c) the calibration sources and calibration dose ranges useful for establishing the reference dose-effect curves that contribute to the dose estimation from chromosome aberration frequency and the minimum resolvable doses, d) the scoring procedure for unstable chromosome aberrations used for biological dosimetry, e) the criteria for converting a measured aberration frequency into an estimate of absorbed dose, f) the reporting of results, g) the quality assurance and quality control, h) informative annexes containing sample instructions for customer, sample questionnaire, sample of report, fitting of the low dose-response curve by the method of maximum likelihood and calculating the error of dose estimate, odds ratio method for cases of suspected exposure to a low dose, and sample data sheet for recording aberrations.

ISO 21243:2008 is to give an overview of the minimum requirements of process and quality-control components of the cytogenetic response for triage of mass casualties. Cytogenetic triage is the use of chromosome damage to evaluate approximately and rapidly radiation doses received by individuals in order to supplement the early clinical categorization of casualties. ISO 21243:2008 concentrates on organizational aspects of applying the dicentric assay for operation in a triage mode. The technical aspects of the dicentric assay can be found in the ISO 19238, ISO 21243:2008 is applicable either to an experienced biological dosimetry laboratory working alone or to a network of collaborating laboratories.

The primary purpose of ISO 13304-1:2013 is to provide minimum acceptable criteria required to establish procedure of retrospective dosimetry by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and to report the results. The second purpose is to facilitate the comparison of measurements related to absorbed dose estimation obtained in different laboratories. ISO 13304-1:2013 covers the determination of absorbed dose in the measured material. It does not cover the calculation of dose to organs or to the body. It covers measurements in both biological and inanimate samples, and specifically: based on inanimate environmental materials, usually made at X-band microwave frequencies (8 GHz to 12 GHz); in vitro tooth enamel using concentrated enamel in a sample tube, usually employing X-band frequency, but higher frequencies are also being considered; in vivo tooth dosimetry, currently using L-band (1 GHz to 2 GHz), but higher frequencies are also being considered; in vitro nail dosimetry using nail clippings measured principally at X-band, but higher frequencies are also being considered; in vivo nail dosimetry with the measurements made at X-band on the intact finger or toe; in vitro measurements of bone, usually employing X-band frequency, but higher frequencies are also being considered. For the biological samples, the in vitro measurements are carried out in samples after their removal from the person and under laboratory conditions, whereas the measurements in vivo may take place under field conditions. NOTE The dose referred to in ISO 13304-1:2013 is the absorbed dose of ionizing radiation in the measured materials.

ISO 19238:2004 provides criteria for quality assurance and quality control, evaluation of the performance and the accreditation of biological dosimetry by cytogenetic service laboratories.