Cytogenetic follow-up of an individual after accidental exposure to industrial radiation using dicentric frequency in blood lymphocytes.

A radiation accident occurred in Bursa, Turkey, in July 2005. An industrial radiographer was exposed to industrial iridium-192 gamma rays for 5 h while laying the natural gas line. After 5 h, the victim had a break because of vomiting and nausea. He ended his work, considering that he might have been exposed to radiation. In a few days, erythema, pain, desquamation, edema started in both hands of the victim. The biological dose assessment was started based on frequencies of dicentrics and rings in peripheral blood lymphocytes ten days after the radiation accident. 6 repeated blood samples were taken for 9 years and analyzed staining after giemsa. After 9 years, decline at dicentric frequencies is significant, but still, dicentric contain cells were detected, which were a strong indicator for external radiation exposure.