The present invention relates to a method for detecting and optionally quantifying exposure to ionizing radiation and applications thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to the detection and/or quantification of ionizing radiation exposure by detecting the colour change of one or more dianhydrohexitol compounds, such as isosorbide, caused by ionizing radiation. It also relates to the use of dianhydrohexitol compounds for detecting exposure to irradiation, to a system and kit that may be used for such purposes, and to a method for making sterilized objects, which also relies on the colour change induced by ionizing radiation.