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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
10:33
Expedited Radiation Biodosimetry by Automated Dicentric Chromosome Identification (ADCI) and Dose Estimation
Published on: September 4, 2017
Retrospective biodosimetry among United States radiologic technologists
Parveen Bhatti1, Dale L Preston, Michele Morin Doody
1Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Radiation Research
|May 26, 2007
Summary
Chromosome translocations in radiologic technologists support ionizing radiation dose estimates. This cytogenetic biodosimetry method validates occupational exposure assessments for radiation workers.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Biology
- Occupational Health
- Cytogenetics
Background:
- Chromosome translocations in lymphocytes quantify ionizing radiation exposure.
- Radiologic technologists historically faced occupational radiation doses.
- Accurate dose assessment is crucial for epidemiological studies of radiation effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate ionizing radiation dose estimates for U.S. radiologic technologists using chromosome translocation frequencies.
- To assess the relationship between occupational red bone marrow absorbed dose and translocation frequency in a selected cohort.
Main Methods:
- A subset of 152 U.S. radiologic technologists (working 1916-1984) was selected based on estimated cumulative dose.
- Blood samples were analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to detect chromosome translocations.
- Linear Poisson regression models were used to analyze the association between dose and translocation frequency, adjusting for covariates.
Main Results:
- An excess of 0.09 translocations per 100 cell equivalents per cGy red bone marrow dose was observed (95% CI: -0.01, 0.2; P = 0.07).
- This finding is comparable to previous cytogenetic study estimates (0.05 excess translocations per 100 CE per cGy).
- Good agreement was found between estimated occupational doses and measured translocation frequencies.
Conclusions:
- Chromosome translocation analysis provides credible support for occupational radiation dose assessments in radiologic technologists.
- Biodosimetry using FISH is a valuable tool for substantiating historical radiation exposure records.
- The study validates dose estimates for a large cohort, aiding future epidemiological research.
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