Contamination from possible solar light exposures in ESR dosimetry using human tooth enamel

Nakamura N, Katanic JF, Miyazawa C
J Radiat Res (Tokyo) 39:185-91, 1998

Summary

Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurement data of 98 teeth from atomic-bomb survivors who received various radiation doses were analyzed in terms of possible solar light exposure by tooth position. Each tooth was divided into buccal and lingual parts for independent ESR measurement. We found that average buccal doses were larger than their corresponding lingual doses by 0.48 plus or minus 0.30 Gy (first incisors), 0.33 plus or minus 0.38 Gy (second incisors), 0.20 plus or minus 0.23 Gy (canines), 0.24 plus or minus 0.26 Gy (first bicuspids), 0.17 plus or minus 0.51 Gy (second bicuspids) and 0.04 plus or minus 0.18 Gy (large molars and wisdom teeth). Such a clear declining trend following tooth position in the mouth is readily appreciated as due to solar light exposures. Comparisons of lingual doses of multiple teeth from the same five donors suggest that lingual doses of first incisors were also overestimated by 0.34 plus or minus 0.18 Gy. From the results presented, we deduce that the buccal doses of first incisors are, on the average, overestimated by nearly 0.8 Gy. Therefore, use of front teeth for biodosimetry requires special caution. How to estimate the contribution from exposure to solar light in ESR biodosimetry is discussed.