Survey on chromosome aberration rate of peripheral blood lymphocytes among radiological workers in Hunan Province

  Objective  To observe the chromosome aberration rate of peripheral blood lymphocytes of radiological workers in Hunan Province, so as to provide a basis for occupational protection and management against radiation hazards in Hunan Province.

  Methods  A total of 1 243 radiological workers who underwent occupational health examinations in this hospital from 2020 to 2021 were studied. Among them, 514 staff engaged in interventional therapy, and 729 staff worked in the radiology department. The indicators of dicentromeric + centromeric ring (dic + r), acentric (ace)and abnormal chromosome aberration were observed.

  Results  The rates of (dic + r) (0.03% ±0.23%), ace (0.01% ±0.13%) and abnormal chromosome aberration (2.335%)of staff engaged in intervention therapy were significantly higher than those in the radiology department (0.01% ±0.09%, 0.00% ±0.05%, 0.549%, respectively) (P < 0.05).Among the staff engaged in interventional therapy, no significant difference in rates of dic + r, ace, and chromosome aberration was found between the male staff and the female staff (P > 0.05); the rates of dic + r and chromosome aberration of the above 40-year-olds were higher than the below 40-year-olds (P < 0.05);and the rates of dic + r, ace, and chromosome aberration increased gradually with the service time (P < 0.05).

  Conclusions  The chromosome aberration rate of staff engaged in interventional therapy was higher than that of staff in the radiology department. It is necessary to strengthen the occupational health management of these staff, improve personal protection awareness, and ensure their health and occupational safety.