Radiation protection — Performance criteria for laboratories performing initial cytogenetic dose assessment of mass casualties in radiological or nuclear emergencies — General principles and application to dicentric assay

The purpose of this document is to give an overview of the minimum requirements for performing the dicentric assay with quality control measures using mitogen stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes for initial assessment of individuals involved in a mass casualty scenario. The dicentric assay is the use of chromosome damage to quickly estimate approximate radiation doses received by individuals in order to supplement the early clinical categorization of casualties.

This document focuses on the organizational and operational aspects of applying the dicentric assay in an initial assessment mode. The technical aspects of the dicentric assay can be found in ISO 19238.

This document is applicable either to an experienced biological dosimetry laboratory working alone or to a network of collaborating laboratories (as defined in Clause 7).