Public Health Emergency Preparedness
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Table 6.1. Biological Dosimetry Assays and Operational Parameters
| Class of Biomarker |
Assay |
Time Window |
Operating Dose Window (Gy, acute photon-equivalent) |
| Prodromal signs and symptoms |
Onset of vomiting |
<12 hr |
2-20 |
| Hematological |
Depletion of peripheral blood lymphocytes |
<1.5 wk |
2-8 |
| Cytological |
Lymphocyte-metaphase spread dicentric |
< several monthsa |
0.2-5 |
| Lymphocyte-premature chromosome condensation |
<several monthsa |
0.2-20 |
a Generally, blood is sampled 24 hours after radiation exposure for cytological chromosome aberration analysis of dose.
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