Comparative Study of the Effect of UV vs. Gamma Radiation on Human Hair
January 2010
in “
Biophysical journal
”
Studysummary This study found that human hair shows progressive damage from UV and gamma radiation exposure, with fluorescence intensity serving as a sensitive measure of radiation-induced changes.
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The study compared the effects of UV and 60Co gamma radiation on human hair to assess its potential as a biomarker for radiation exposure. Using tryptophan fluorescence and chemical analysis, it was found that both types of radiation caused progressive damage to hair fibers, with UV radiation causing more rapid and intense changes than gamma radiation. The damage was evidenced by decreased fluorescence intensity and reduced free SH-groups. The study concluded that fluorescence intensity is a sensitive measure for evaluating radiation exposure, with UV radiation being particularly damaging to the stable Trp fluorophore.
