Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) biodosimetry is based on quantitative measurements of the effects of radiation in biological materials. These effects have a form of stable free radicals and the concentration of these radicals is dependent on the absorbed dose. Recent studies suggest a possibility of using EPR signals generated by ionizing radiation in nails for radiation dosimetry. This article provides a critical review of reported measurement procedures and methods used to relate quantitative features of the measured spectra with the absorbed dose. The preliminary part of this article gives basic information about the structure and composition of nails and contains a brief description of the history of the use of EPR spectroscopy in determining the doses absorbed by irradiated persons. The main part of the article provides characterization of EPR signals generated by mechanical cutting of nails and by radiation and presents factors responsible for the magnitude and changes in these signals. Practical applications of EPR dosimetry in nails in reconstruction of doses absorbed by victims of radiation accidents are addressed. In the final part of the article prospective future research in the field of EPR dosimetry in nails is discussed.
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