ISO 21243:2008

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

Scope

ISO 21243:2008 is to give an overview of the minimum requirements of process and quality-control components of the cytogenetic response for triage of mass casualties. Cytogenetic triage is the use of chromosome damage to evaluate approximately and rapidly radiation doses received by individuals in order to supplement the early clinical categorization of casualties. ISO 21243:2008 concentrates on organizational aspects of applying the dicentric assay for operation in a triage mode. The technical aspects of the dicentric assay can be found in the ISO 19238, ISO 21243:2008 is applicable either to an experienced biological dosimetry laboratory working alone or to a network of collaborating laboratories.