Research and application of ESR dosimetry for dose assessment in nuclear accidents

Objective: This work was intended to establish methods suitable to practical dose detection for people involved in ionizing radiation accident. Methods: Some biological materials of human body and articles possibly carried or worn by victims were taken as detection samples. By using electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques, the basic dosimetric properties of selected materials were investigated in the range above the threshold dose of human acute hemopoietic radiation syndrome. The involved dosimetric properties included dose response properties of ESR signals, signal stabilities, distribution of background signals, the lowest detectable dose value, radiation conditions, environmental effects on detection process etc. Results: Several practical dose analytical indexes and detecting methods were set up. Some of them were successfully used in the dose assessment to people involved in three actual radiation accidents including the Chernobyl reactor accident. Conclusions: This work further proves the important role of ESR played in dose estimation in radiation accident