Effect of ionizing radiation on the occupational health of radiologists

Abstract

Objective To analyze peripheral blood hemogram, lymphocyte micronucleus and chromosomal aberrations of radiologists, so as to provide basis for occupational protection and health monitoring of radiologists.

Methods Lymphocyte micronucleus, chromosome and blood hemogram analysis were performed on 127 radiologists who received health examinations in 2015, 2017 and 2019, and they were assigned to the radiation group. In addition, 133 medical staff with no history of radiation exposure were selected as the control group.

Results The micronucleus rate and chromosome aberration rate of the radiation group were higher than those of the control group, and the white blood cell and platelet counts were lower than those of the control group, both of which were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The total number of white blood cells in peripheral blood of 127 radiologists decreased gradually with the increase of exposure time to ionizing radiation, and the chromosome aberration rate increased gradually, all of which had statistical significance ( P < 0.05). The rate of chromosomal aberration was higher in radiologists with damage work age of more than 20 years than in the low-work age group, and there was no statistical significance between different damage work age ( P > 0.05). The chromosome aberration rate of nuclear medicine and interventional therapy was higher than that of other types, with statistical significance ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion Long-term exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation can reduce the total number of white blood cells and increase the chromosome aberration rate of radiologists. It is necessary to strengthen the protective measures for radiologists to reduce the degree of ionizing radiation damage, especially to strengthen the occupational protection for radiologists in nuclear medicine and interventional therapy.

Abstract

摘要： 目的 分析放射工作者外周血象、淋巴细胞微核及染色体畸变情况, 为放射工作者职业防护和健康监测提供依 据。 方法 对 2015 年、2017 年和 2019 年连续 3 次接受健康检查的 127 名放射工作者进行淋巴细胞微核、染色体及血 象分析, 将其设为放射组。另外选取 133 名无射线接触史的医务人员设为对照组; 结果 放射组中淋巴细胞微核率和 染色体畸变率高于对照组, 白细胞和血小板计数低于对照组, 均具有统计学意义 ( P < 0.05)。127 名放射工作者外周血 白细胞总数随着接触电离辐射时间的增长逐渐降低, 染色体畸变率逐渐增加, 均具有统计学意义 ( P < 0.05)。损害工龄 大于 20 年的放射工作者染色体畸变率高于低工龄组, 不同损害工龄之间比较无统计学意义 ( P > 0.05)。核医学与介入 治疗工种染色体畸变率高于其他工种, 具有统计学意义 ( P < 0.05)。 结论 长时间接触低剂量电离辐射可使放射工作 者白细胞总数降低和淋巴细胞染色体畸变率增加, 应加强放射工作者防护措施以备降低电离辐射损伤程度, 特别要加 强核医学和介入治疗放射工作人员的职业防护。