Influence of nails polish in EPR dosimetry with human nails

In the last decade human nails have been investigated as a possible biological indicator of exposure to ionizing radiation. Radiation-induced radicals detected by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy can be used to quantify the received dose. However, possible additional EPR signals due to nail polish have not been yet investigated. An additional signal is observed with some polishes. This signal, attributed to the iron oxide used as dark pigments in colour polishes, occupies the range of EPR spectrum covered also by the radiation-induced signals, so it can overlap and completely masks the radiation-induced signals, making any dose estimation impossible. Remover solvents allow for the complete eliminate of EPR signals from polishes without modifying the native signals in nails also called BKS in the literature. This may possibly expand the use of EPR nail dosimetry to potentially exposed individuals that have nail polishes on their nails (not eligible for the use of this technique otherwise) at the time of sample collection. •Example of EPR signals from un-irradiated nails polishes are reported.•Ferro -magnetism can be observed in polishes with iron oxides.•Signals from nails polished can eliminated by acetone.•Acetone can be used for sample preparation.