External exposure dose estimation by electron spin resonance technique for wild Japanese macaque captured in Fukushima Prefecture

The relationship between the CO2 radical intensity and the absorbed dose (dose response curve) of tooth enamel of Japanese macaque was observed by electron spin resonance and the detection limit of our system was estimated to be 33.5 mGy. Using the dose response curve, external exposure dose for seven wild Japanese macaques captured in Fukushima prefecture were examined. The results suggest that the external exposure dose for the wild Japanese macaques were ranged between 45 mGy and 300 mGy. •ESR spectra for wild Japanese macaque were measured.•CO2 radical intensity linearly increased with increasing absorbed dose.•Detection limit for Japanese macaque was comparable to that for human.•Estimation of external exposure dose for macaques captured in Fukushima Prefecture.