Electron spin resonance dosimetric properties of bone

Area of Science:

• Radiation dosimetry
• Biomaterials science
• Analytical chemistry

Background:

• Electron spin resonance (ESR) is a spectroscopic technique sensitive to unpaired electrons.
• Bovine bone contains an inorganic matrix with potential for radiation-induced paramagnetic centers.
• Accurate dosimetry is crucial for assessing radiation exposure, especially in emergency situations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of bovine bone as a dosimeter for gamma radiation using ESR.
• To determine the sensitivity, linearity, and reproducibility of ESR dosimetry with bone samples.

Main Methods:

• Bovine bone samples were exposed to varying doses of 60Co gamma radiation.
• The number of radiation-induced paramagnetic centers was measured using ESR spectroscopy.
• Dosimetric characteristics, including minimum detectable dose, linearity, dose rate independence, and reproducibility, were assessed.

Main Results:

• ESR signal intensity correlated linearly with absorbed dose up to 30 Gy.
• The minimum detectable dose for 60Co gamma rays was determined to be 0.5 Gy.
• The response was independent of dose rate up to 1.67 Gy min-1, with 5% reproducibility across samples.

Conclusions:

• Bovine bone is a viable and sensitive material for ESR dosimetry.
• The method demonstrates good linearity, dose rate independence, and reproducibility.
• This ESR dosimetry approach holds promise for applications in nuclear accident dosimetry.