Study of the occupational health risk of radon exposure in underground workers in a mine

Abstract

Purpose: To understand the influence of radon on human health in underground microenvironment of iron mine, and find the sensitive detection index of the influence of radon cumulative exposure on human health. Methods: According to National Work Manual of Occupational Radiation disease Surveillance (Survey of Miners with High radon Exposure) and expert consensus on low-dose spiral CT lung cancer screening. Selected 51 underground workers in an iron mine as the observation objects, using chromosome aberration of peripheral blood lymphocytes, micronucleus of lymphocytes, tumor markers of serum and low-dose CT screening of lung cancer as observation indexes. Results: 6 cases with elevated lymphocyte count (11.8%), NSE (neuron specific enolase) elevation detected 20 (39.2%), abnormal detection of SCC (Squamous cell carcinoma associated antigen) 13 (22.5%), Cyfra21-1 (cytokeratin 19 fragment) was detected 3 (5.9%). Chromosomal abnormalities and micronucleus abnormalities were detected 1 (2.0%). Thyroid nodules were detected 10 (19.6%). Low-dose chest CT detection plaques and funicular shadow 21 (41.2%), nodules 16 (31.4%), bulla 9 (17.6%) frosted (2.0%). Conclusion: In this study, based on the survey and monitoring data of miners in a deep mine, there is a health risk with radon exposure in the occupational health of iron ore workers, in particular, radon exposure causes lung cancer risk, which is a public health problem to be solved.

Keywords

• Radon exposure
• Lung cancer
• Low dose CT
• Cancer marker