1
|
Lee D, Cha ES, Park S, Sung H, Noh E, Jeong H, Jang WI, Seo S. Cohort Profile: The Korean Radiation Workers Study (KRWS). Int J Epidemiol 2024; 53:dyae060. [PMID: 38628072 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyae060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dalnim Lee
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Shil Cha
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soojin Park
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoju Sung
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunbi Noh
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Haesu Jeong
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Il Jang
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Songwon Seo
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Çobanoğlu H, Çayır A. Occupational exposure to radiation among health workers: Genome integrity and predictors of exposure. MUTATION RESEARCH. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2024; 893:503726. [PMID: 38272632 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2024.503726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate genomic instabilities in healthcare workers who may experience varying levels of radiation exposure through various radiological procedures. It also sought to determine if factors related to the work environment and dosimeter reading could effectively explain the observed genomic instabilities. Utilizing the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) on peripheral blood lymphocytes, we assessed a spectrum of genomic aberrations, including nucleoplasmic bridge (NPB), nuclear budding (NBUD), micronucleus (MN) formation, and total DNA damage (TDD). The study uncovered a statistically significant increase in the occurrence of distinct DNA anomalies among radiology workers (with a significance level of P < 0.0001 for all measurements). Notably, parameters such as total working hours, average work duration, and time spent in projection radiography exhibited significant correlations with MN and TDD levels in these workers. The dosimeter readings demonstrated a positive correlation with the frequency of NPB and NBUD, indicating a substantial association between radiation exposure and these two genomic anomalies. Our multivariable models identified the time spent in projection radiography as a promising parameter for explaining the overall genomic instability observed in these professionals. Thus, while dosimeters alone may not fully explain elevated total DNA damage, intrinsic work environment factors hold potential in indicating exposure levels for these individuals, providing a complementary approach to monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hayal Çobanoğlu
- Health Services Vocational College, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale 17100, Turkey
| | - Akın Çayır
- Health Services Vocational College, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale 17100, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kwon TE, Jeong A, Ha WH, Lee D, Seo S, Cho J, Kim E, Chung Y, Park S. Organ dose reconstruction for the radiation epidemiological study of Korean radiation workers: the first dose evaluation for the Korean Radiation Worker Study (KRWS). NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY 2023; 55:725-733. [PMID: 37635951 PMCID: PMC10450646 DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2022.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences has started a radiation epidemiological study, titled "Korean Radiation Worker Study," to evaluate the health effects of occupational exposure to radiation. As a part of this study, we investigated the methodologies and results of reconstructing organ-specific absorbed doses based on personal dose equivalent, Hp(10), reported from 1984 to 2019 for 20,605 Korean radiation workers. For the organ dose reconstruction, representative exposure scenarios (i.e., radiation energy and exposure geometry) were first determined according to occupational groups, and dose coefficients for converting Hp(10) to organ absorbed doses were then appropriately taken based on the exposure scenarios. Individual annual doses and individual cumulative doses were reconstructed for 27 organs, and the highest values were observed in the thyroid doses (on average 0.77 mGy/y and 10.47 mGy, respectively). Mean values of individual cumulative absorbed doses for the red bone marrow, colon, and lungs were 7.83, 8.78, and 8.43 mSv, respectively. Most of the organ doses were maximum for industrial radiographers, followed by nuclear power plant workers, medical workers, and other facility workers. The organ dose database established in this study will be utilized for organ-specific risk estimation in the Korean Radiation Worker Study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Eun Kwon
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Areum Jeong
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Wi-Ho Ha
- Korea Department of Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Daejeon 34057, Republic of Korea
| | - Dalnim Lee
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Songwon Seo
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Junik Cho
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Euidam Kim
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonsun Chung
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunhoo Park
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lee D, Lim WY, Park S, Jin YW, Lee WJ, Park S, Seo S. Reliability and Validity of a Nationwide Survey (the Korean Radiation Workers Study). Saf Health Work 2021; 12:445-451. [PMID: 34900363 PMCID: PMC8640590 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2021.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the self-administered questionnaire for Korean radiation workers. Methods From May 24, 2016, to June 30, 2017, 20,608 participants completed the questionnaire, providing information on sociodemographics, lifestyle, work history and practices, medical radiation exposure, and medical history, which was linked to the National Dose Registry and the National Cancer Registry. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated using the responses of 20,608 workers, and reliability was evaluated using the responses of 3043 workers who responded to the survey twice. Results Responses concerning demographic characteristics and lifestyle showed reliability with a moderate-to-high agreement (kappa: 0.43–0.99), whereas responses concerning occupation and medical radiation exposure had a wide range of agreement (kappa: 0.05–0.95), possibly owing to temporal variability during employment. Regarding validity, responses to the question about the first year of employment had an excellent agreement with the national registry (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.9); however, responses on cancer history had a wide range of agreement (kappa: 0.22–0.85). Conclusion Although the reliability and validity of the questionnaire were not distinguished by demographic characteristics, they tended to be low among participants whose occupational radiation exposure was minimal. Overall, the information collected can be reliable for epidemiological studies; however, caution must be exercised when using information such as medical exposure and work practices, which are prone to temporal variability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalnim Lee
- Laboratory of Radiation Epidemiology, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Wan Young Lim
- Laboratory of Radiation Epidemiology, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Soojin Park
- Laboratory of Radiation Epidemiology, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Woo Jin
- Laboratory of Radiation Epidemiology, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Jin Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunhoo Park
- Laboratory of Radiation Epidemiology, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Songwon Seo
- Laboratory of Radiation Epidemiology, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, 01812, Republic of Korea
- Corresponding author. Laboratory of Radiation Epidemiology, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowongu, 01812, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Park S, Lee DN, Jin YW, Cha ES, Jang WI, Park S, Seo S. Non-cancer disease prevalence and association with occupational radiation exposure among Korean radiation workers. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22415. [PMID: 34789809 PMCID: PMC8599676 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01875-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation-induced cancer risks have known stochastic effects; however, regarding non-cancer diseases, evidence of risk at low radiation doses remains unclear. We aimed to identify underlying characteristics concerning non-cancer disease prevalence and determine associations with radiation dose among Korean radiation workers. Using a nationwide baseline survey, 20,608 workers were enrolled. Data concerning participant demographics, occupational characteristics, lifestyle, and lifetime prevalence of non-cancer diseases were linked to a national dose registry. We compared non-cancer disease prevalences in the Korean general population with those in this cohort and undertook a dose-response analysis concerning the cumulative dose. Hyperlipidemia (10.6%), circulatory (9.6%), and respiratory (4.1%) system diseases, followed by thyroid diseases (3.5%), had the highest prevalences, with hyperlipidemia, thyroid diseases, and hepatitis prevalence being higher in the cohort than in the general population. Radiation doses were associated with elevated prevalences of most diseases; however, associations were attenuated and not significant after adjusting for confounders, except for musculoskeletal system diseases (prevalence odds ratio [POR]/10 mSv, 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.07) and cataracts (POR/10 mSv, 1.04; 95% CI 1.00-1.07). Further studies are warranted to investigate the causality of those non-cancer diseases involving more varied confounders such as physical and psychosocial stresses and ultraviolet light.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soojin Park
- grid.415464.60000 0000 9489 1588National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 01812 South Korea
| | - Dal Nim Lee
- grid.415464.60000 0000 9489 1588National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 01812 South Korea
| | - Young Woo Jin
- grid.415464.60000 0000 9489 1588National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 01812 South Korea
| | - Eun Shil Cha
- grid.222754.40000 0001 0840 2678Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Won-Il Jang
- grid.415464.60000 0000 9489 1588National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 01812 South Korea ,grid.415464.60000 0000 9489 1588Department of Radiation Oncology, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sunhoo Park
- grid.415464.60000 0000 9489 1588National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 01812 South Korea ,grid.415464.60000 0000 9489 1588Department of Pathology, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Songwon Seo
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 01812, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lee D, Lee WJ, Jin YW, Kim J, Park S, Park S, Seo S. Estimation of the historical radiation dose of Korean radiation workers, 1961-1983. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2021; 41:1005-1017. [PMID: 34587594 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ac2b8b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Accurate dosimetry plays a key role in evaluating the radiation-induced health risks of radiation workers. The National Dose Registry in Korea contains the dose records of radiation workers in nuclear-related occupations since 1984. Thus, radiation doses for workers before 1984 are often sparse or missing. This study aimed to estimate the historical radiation dose before 1984 for radiation workers in Korea based on dose reconstruction models. The dose reconstruction models were derived from the nationwide self-administered questionnaire survey and the personal badge doses for workers in the cohort of the Korean Radiation Worker Study. The mean estimated annual doses between 1984 and 2016 from the dose reconstruction model were 4.67-0.6 mSv, which closely matched the reported doses of 4.51-0.43 mSv. The mean estimated annual doses between 1961 and 1983 based on the exposure scenarios developed by factors associated with radiation doses ranged from 11.08 to 4.82 mSv. The mean estimated annual doses of individuals in the cohort from 1961 to 1983 ranged from 11.15 to 4.88 mSv. Although caution needs to be exercised in the interpretation of these estimations due to uncertainty owed to the nature of extrapolation beyond the range of observed data, this study offers a sense of the radiation doses for workers during Korea's early period of radiation-related activities, which can be a useful piece of information for radiation-induced health risk assessments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalnim Lee
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Jin Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Goryeodae-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Woo Jin
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyeong Kim
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Soojin Park
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunhoo Park
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Songwon Seo
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hanfi M, Emad BM, Sayyed M, Khandaker MU, Bradley D. Natural radioactivity in the prospecting tunnel in Egypt: Dose rate and risk assessment. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2021.109555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
8
|
Akyurt N. Health-related quality of life among radiology technicians in Turkish hospitals: a cross sectional study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 94:1415-1425. [PMID: 34043057 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01723-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health related quality of life (HRQoL), despite its potential bi-directional interaction with occupational risks, has not been extensively addressed among radiology technicians. OBJECTIVE To evaluate HRQoL among radiology technicians in relation to sociodemographic and occupational factors. METHODS A total of 115 radiology technicians who were employed in three big hospitals located in Istanbul province were included on a voluntary basis in this cross sectional questionnaire-based study conducted between June 2019 and August 2019. The questionnaire form elicited items on socio-demographic characteristics, occupational characteristics and the 36-item Short-form Health Survey (SF-36), respectively. RESULTS Overall, 94.8% of technicians confirmed previous training on radiation protection and safety, while 92.2% noted distrust in their knowledge on radiation protection and patient dosage. In addition, 47.8% of technicians noted seldom use of radiation protection measures and 55.7% noted distrust in reliability of radiation exposure measurements. The multiple regression analysis revealed that older age, female gender, working at a university hospital and seldom use of protection significantly predicted poor HRQoL (p = 0.042 to 0.001), while working in interventional radiology and having trust in radiation exposure measurements predicted better HRQoL (p = 0.006 to 0.001) in terms of certain domains. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our findings revealed lack of trust in current self-knowledge on radiation protection and safety by majority of radiology technicians and seldom use of radiation protection measures by half of them, despite previously trained on radiation protection and safety. Certain occupational factors and factors related to radiation protection and safety were also amongst the significant determinants of poor HRQoL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuran Akyurt
- Department of Medical Imaging Techniques, Vocational School of Health Services, Marmara University Özcan Sabancı Binası, Kartal Yerleşkesi, Cevizli Mahallesi, D-100 Güney Yanyolu Üzeri, 34865, Kartal, Istanbul, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lee Y, Lee WJ, Jin YW, Jang S. Interventional radiologists have a higher rate of chromosomal damage due to occupational radiation exposure: a dicentric chromosome assay. Eur Radiol 2021; 31:8256-8263. [PMID: 33876297 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-021-07883-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There are growing concerns regarding radiation exposure in medical workers who perform interventional fluoroscopy procedures. Owing to the nature of certain interventional procedures, workers may be subjected to partial-body radiation exposure that is high enough to cause local damage. We aimed to investigate the level of radiation exposure in interventional radiologists in South Korea by performing cytogenetic biodosimetry, particularly focusing on partial-body exposure. METHODS Interventional radiologists (n = 52) completed a questionnaire, providing information about their work history and practices. Blood samples were collected and processed for a dicentric chromosome assay. We determined Papworth's U-value to assess the conformity of dicentrics with the Poisson distribution to estimate the partial-body exposures of the radiologists. RESULTS Radiologists had a higher number of dicentrics than the normal population and industrial radiographers. Indeed, subjects with a U-value of > 1.96, an indicator of heterogeneous exposure, were observed more frequently; 4.67 ± 0.81% of their body was irradiated at an average dose of 4.64 ± 0.67 Gy. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the total duration of all interventional procedures per week was associated with partial-body exposure levels. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that interventional radiologists had greater chromosomal damages than those in other occupational groups, and their partial-body exposure levels might be high enough to cause local damage. Use of special dosimeters to monitor partial-body exposure, as well as restricting the time and frequency of interventional procedures, could help reduce occupational radiation exposure. KEY POINTS • Interventional radiologists had a higher number of dicentrics than the normal population and industrial radiographers. • The level of partial-body exposure of interventional radiologists might be high enough to cause occupational local damage such as a skin cancer in fingers. • Restricting the duration and frequency of interventional procedures might be helpful in reducing occupational radiation exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Younghyun Lee
- Laboratory of Biological Dosimetry, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Jin Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Woo Jin
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongjae Jang
- Laboratory of Biological Dosimetry, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Liu N, Peng Y, Zhong X, Ma Z, He S, Li Y, Zhang W, Gong Z, Yao Z. Effects of exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation on changing platelets: a prospective cohort study. Environ Health Prev Med 2021; 26:14. [PMID: 33494698 PMCID: PMC7836727 DOI: 10.1186/s12199-021-00939-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous studies have concentrated on high-dose radiation exposed accidentally or through therapy, and few involve low-dose occupational exposure, to investigate the correlation between low-dose ionizing radiation and changing hematological parameters among medical workers. Methods Using a prospective cohort study design, we collected health examination reports and personal dose monitoring data from medical workers and used Poisson regression and restricted cubic spline models to assess the correlation between changing hematological parameters and cumulative radiation dose and determine the dose-response relationship. Results We observed that changing platelet of 1265 medical workers followed up was statistically different among the cumulative dose groups (P = 0.010). Although the linear trend tested was not statistically significant (Ptrend = 0.258), the non-linear trend tested was statistically significant (Pnon-linear = 0.007). Overall, there was a correlation between changing platelets and cumulative radiation dose (a change of βa 0.008 × 109/L during biennially after adjusting for gender, age at baseline, service at baseline, occupation, medical level, and smoking habits; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.003,0.014 × 109/L). Moreover, we also found positive first and then negative dose-response relationships between cumulative radiation dose and changing platelets by restricted cubic spline models, while there were negative patterns of the baseline service not less than 10 years (− 0.015 × 109/L, 95% CI = − 0.024, − 0.007 × 109/L) and radiation nurses(− 0.033 × 109/L, 95% CI = − 0.049, − 0.016 × 109/L). Conclusion We concluded that although the exposure dose was below the limit, medical workers exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation for a short period of time might have increased first and then decreased platelets, and there was a dose-response relationship between the cumulative radiation dose and platelets changing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510310, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Peng
- Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, 4006, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, 4006, Australia
| | - Xinguang Zhong
- The Sixth People's Hospital of Dongguan, Dongguan, 532008, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zheng Ma
- The Sixth People's Hospital of Dongguan, Dongguan, 532008, Guangdong, China
| | - Suiping He
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510310, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510310, Guangdong, China
| | - Wencui Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510310, Guangdong, China
| | - Zijun Gong
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510310, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenjiang Yao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510310, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kim J, Seo S, Lee DN, Park S, Im KJ, Park S, Jin YW. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE CHARACTERISTICS AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH RADIATION DOSES AMONG KOREAN RADIATION WORKERS. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2020; 189:106-113. [PMID: 32090270 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study identified occupational factors associated with radiation exposure in Korea. Survey data of 16 037 workers from 2016 to 2017, including lifestyle factors and occupational characteristics, were combined with the National Dose Registry. Higher average annual doses were observed in groups exhibiting health risk factors such as body mass index (BMI) and smoking. Average annual doses also differed according to occupational characteristics, including average daily working hours, use of radiation protection gear, calendar year of hiring and employment status. Moreover, the influence of different factors on radiation dose differed with occupations. In industrial radiography and nuclear power plants, average daily working hours were the most important factor determining worker radiation doses. In other occupations, such as education, industry and research, calendar year of hiring and duration of employment were the most important factors. This research indicates the need to consider the specific work procedures of occupations to determine exposure variations between or within facilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiyeong Kim
- Laboratory of Low Dose Risk Assessment, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Songwon Seo
- Laboratory of Low Dose Risk Assessment, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Dal Nim Lee
- Laboratory of Low Dose Risk Assessment, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Soojin Park
- Laboratory of Low Dose Risk Assessment, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Jung Im
- Radiation Safety Division, Korea Foundation of Nuclear Safety, 49 Daewangpangyo-ro, 644 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Sunhoo Park
- Laboratory of Low Dose Risk Assessment, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Woo Jin
- Laboratory of Low Dose Risk Assessment, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Adliene D, Griciene B, Skovorodko K, Laurikaitiene J, Puiso J. Occupational radiation exposure of health professionals and cancer risk assessment for Lithuanian nuclear medicine workers. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:109144. [PMID: 32028181 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reconstruction and analysis of low doses received by the occupationally exposed medical radiation workers, especially nuclear medicine staff dealing with radioisotopes may significantly contribute to the understanding of radiation impact on individuals, assess and predict radiation related risks for the development of cancer or other specific diseases. METHODS A pool of 2059 annual effective doses corresponding to 272 job's positions occupied by nuclear medicine and radiology workers for a certain time period over 26 years in five Lithuanian hospitals was investigated in order to analyze the occupational exposure tendencies to medical staff. Requested data, measured in terms of whole body dose, personal dose equivalent Hp(10), was obtained from the National Register of Sources of Ionizing Radiation and Occupational Exposure. Considering that nuclear medicine staff is dealing with open sources/radioisotopes, doses to extremities, Hp(0.07), were measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) of LiF:Mg, Ti type. Lifetime risk estimations for the development of specific cancer (thyroid cancer and leukemia) for exposed radiation workers were performed using risk models included in BEIR VII report (BEIR VII, 2006). The conservative assessment of the thyroid exposure was performed using RadRAT 4.1.1 tool. RESULTS Doses to radiology technologists and radiology nurses were found to be highest over the years. However, their annual doses never exceeded dose limit of 20 mSv and were following the same decreasing tendency as the doses of other personnel. There was no increase of doses to nuclear medicine staff observed after installation of two new PET/CT machines, indicating increased radiation protection culture and application of relevant technical and protective measures by the staff. Measured fingertip doses were 2-3 times higher than the hand doses measured with TLD ring and were dependent on the type and frequency of the nuclear medicine examination procedure and on the type and activity of isotopes used for examination. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, retrospective dose evaluation for the cohort of medical radiation workers was performed in the country. It enabled estimation of lifetime attributable risk for the development of two cancer types: thyroid and leukemia cancer among occupationally exposed medical radiation staff. Projected risk was low, ~10-5, however it was found that the risk of thyroid cancer for female staff was 5.7 times higher than for the males. Obtained results will be used for the predictive assessment of possible radiation induced health effects to occupationally exposed medical radiation workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Adliene
- Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania.
| | - B Griciene
- Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania; Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - K Skovorodko
- Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania; State Research Institute the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - J Puiso
- Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
A Cohort Study of Korean Radiation Workers: Baseline Characteristics of Participants. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17072328. [PMID: 32235620 PMCID: PMC7177891 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17072328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Korean Radiation Worker Study investigated the health effects of protracted low-dose radiation among nuclear-related occupations in the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission in Korea. From 2016–2017, 20,608 workers were enrolled (86.5% men and 30.7% nuclear power plant workers). The mean cumulative dose ± standard deviation between 1984 and 2017 (1st quarter) was 11.8 ± 28.8 (range 0–417) mSv. Doses below recording level (≤0.1 mSv) were reported in 7901 (38.3%) cases; 431 (2%) had cumulative doses ≥100 mSv. From 1999–2016, 212 cancers (189 men, 23 women) occurred; thyroid cancer predominated (39.2%, 72 men, 11 women). In men, the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for all cancers was significantly decreased (SIR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.66–0.88); however, that for thyroid cancer was significantly increased (SIR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.54–2.44). Compared to the non-exposed group (≤0.1 mSv), the relative risk (RR) in the exposed group (>0.1 mSv) after adjusting for sex, attained age, smoking status, and duration of employment was 0.82 (95% CI 0.60–1.12) for all cancers and 0.83 (95% CI 0.49–1.83) for thyroid cancer. The preliminary findings from this baseline study with a shorter follow-up than the latency period for solid cancer cannot exclude possible associations between radiation doses and cancer risk.
Collapse
|
14
|
Lee Y, Seo S, Jin YW, Jang S. Assessment of working environment and personal dosimeter-wearing compliance of industrial radiographers based on chromosome aberration frequencies. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2020; 40:151-164. [PMID: 31539897 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ab4686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Industrial radiographers are exposed to relatively higher doses of radiation than other radiation-exposed workers in South Korea. The objective of our study was to investigate the impact of specific occupational conditions on chromosome aberration frequency and evaluate dosimeter-wearing compliance of industrial radiographers in Korea. We studied individual and occupational characteristics of 120 industrial radiographers working in South Korea and evaluated the frequency of dicentrics and translocations in chromosomes to estimate radiation exposure. The association between working conditions and chromosome aberration frequencies was assessed by Poisson regression analysis after adjusting for confounding factors. Legal personal dosimeter-wearing compliance among workers was investigated by correlation analysis between recorded dose and chromosome aberration frequency. Daily average number of radiographic films used in the last six months was associated with dicentrics frequency. Workers performing site radiography showed significantly higher translocation frequency than those working predominantly in shielded enclosures. The correlation between chromosome aberration frequency and recorded dose was higher in workers in the radiography occupation since 2012 (new workers) than other veteran workers. Our study found that site radiography could affect actual radiation exposure to workers. Controlling these working conditions and making an effort to improve personal dosimeter-wearing compliance among veteran workers as well as new workers may be necessary to reduce radiation exposure as much as possible in their workplace.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Younghyun Lee
- Laboratory of Biological Dosimetry, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Songwon Seo
- Laboratory of Low Dose Risk Assessment, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Woo Jin
- National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongjae Jang
- Laboratory of Biological Dosimetry, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|