EPR tooth dosimetry as a tool for validation of retrospective doses: an end-user perspective

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is co-funding several studies on health effects of radiation in Southern Urals in Russia and on Chernobyl liquidators in Ukraine. Obtaining dose-response relationships is central to all these studies. In order to validate retrospective doses estimated by various methods, Electron paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) tooth dosimetry, considered by many as a gold standard, was attempted. The EPR technique, however, has some limitations. This paper discusses the potential pitfalls of using EPR tooth dosimetry, and some potential solutions.