Chromosomic aberrations in exposed workers to ionizing radiations

Abstract

In the prevention of cancer every action isimportant in order to decrease the number of cases.The objective of this investigation is to prove the existence of chromosomal abnormalities inthe health workers occupationally exposed to lowdoses of ionizing radiation and to explore thepossibility of using this test in the epidemiologicalsurveillance system.Methodology: Lymphocytes cultures ofperipheric blood are colored with quinacrine andreading of metaphases is done for each case.Average of dosage measures are taken from oneto four years and the results are compared withthe dosage administered and the exposure time,as well as with common carcinogenic, and personaland familial history.Results: An average of 1.93 abnormalities perindividual was found. Regarding time ofexposure and presence of abnormalities, we found: 39% between 1 and 10 years of exposure,27% between 11 and 20 years and 46% between21 and 30 years of exposure. No relation wasfound between doses and presence ofabnormalities, since they randomly representedthe administered doses.Conclusions: The findings suggest that exposureto low doses of ionizing radiation, which areinternationally accepted, may cause chromosomaldamage, and this is directly related to time ofexposure and individual sensibility, but not withthe amount of radiation received. Exposed workersmust have follow up additional to dosage measure.

Keywords

• ionizing radiation
• occupational exposure
• chromosomal abnormalities