Chromosome aberrations induced by the Auger electron emitter (125)I.

•125I-UdR has an explicit genotoxic capacity, even at 0.2 Gy (29 decays/cell).•Cells bearing accumulated lethal damages die due to apoptosis.•Every fifth 125I-decay in the DNA gives rise to a single CA.•Our data agree with known DSB data, stating that one decay produces ∼ 0.26 DSBs.•Each 125I-UdR-induced DSB is converted into one CA.