Reconstruction of doses from ionizing radiation using fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques.

This paper reviews cytogenetic methods of biological dosimetry. The most reliable indicator of exposure to ionizing radiation is the observation of dicentrics in human peripheral lymphocytes. The major disadvantage is that dicentrics cannot be used for exposures that occur many years prior to blood sampling. In such cases, translocations are the aberrations of choice, and recent developments in their measurement using fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques are highlighted.