RE: Biological Response to Radiation

["Brennan, Martin Jr" <mbrenn@sandia.gov>]

Ron-

Whatever information You receive regarding your query should be evaluated
within the context of the following question.

How acute is this 75 mrem?  Did the individual wear the badge just one day?
Was the dose delivered by a single instantaneous exposure or from 10
individual events during the day...or did he receive doses on separate days
during one job or many smaller exposures over several weeks or months.  The
degree of biological repair and overall affect on the individual may vary
significantly depending on the actual exposure scenario.

Martin J. Brennan
mbrenn@sandia.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: Lavera, Ron [mailto:Ron.Lavera@nypa.gov]
Sent: December 22, 1999 1:25 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Biological Response to Radiation


There was a recent event involving a radiographer that had an indication of
about 75 Rem on his film badge.  The level of exposure was evidently
determined a month or two after the job had ended and the individual had
been terminated.

With that history, the questions I have are essentially about the biological
indicators that would be effective in determining the actual magnitude of
the received dose.   I am aware that books like Cember's Introduction to
Health Physics and the Radiological Health Handbook have graphs and tables
that discuss the Hemopoietic Syndrome.  I am also aware that under certain
circumstances that careful blood work can determine acute exposures in the 7
to 15 Rem range.  

My question really is this; Which of these methods are effective for
determining the accumulated dose for two conditions :

   1 )  Two months after an acute 75 Rem exposure 
-	Would chromosomal anomalies still be present ?  Would they  be
distinguishable enough from normal fluctuations for
accurate dose determination
-	Would acute hemopoietic syndrome symptoms like Leucocyte depression
be evident ?   For a 300 Rad exposure they would, but I'm not sure about a
75 Rem exposure.

  2 )  If the dose were accumulated at a lower rate, say a Rem or 2 per day,
what kind of clinical symptoms would be present after two months ?  What
would be the best biological methods for determining  dose.

Thank you for your time and consideration

Ron LaVera
Lavera.r@nypa.gov



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