The Effect of Occupational Exposure on Blood Parameters of Radiology Staffs in Yasuj

Abstract

Background & aim: Radiology staffs are exposed to low doses of the occupational ionizing radiation. The long term intermittent exposure to low radiation doses may damage cells and result in various adverse biological effects. The blood cells have been found to be the most radiosensitive cells to ionizing radiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between low dose of occupational exposure to ionizing radiations and hematological parameters, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelet counts of the radiology staffs of Yasuj hospitals. Methods: In the present case-control study, seventeen radiology staffs (8 females and 9 males) and seventeen healthy non-radiation workers were participated. Occupational radiation histories were determined by film badge dosimeter recordings for each radiology staff. The hematological parameters of the participated in the study were recorded by means of cell counter sysmix machine. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 21. The statistical analyses were done by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The values of total white blood cells and platelet count were significantly lower among radiology staffs compared to the control group, but no significant difference was found between their red blood cells. No significant correlation was observed between gender and work experience with blood parameters. The file badge records for all of the radiology staffs were under occupational dose limits. Conclusion: Platelet and white blood cells parameters were found to be sensitive to low dose occupational ionizing radiation for radiology staffs. We suggest that the radiology staffs should use their personal dosimeters while their hematopoietic system should be evaluated by blood cells count.

Keywords

• Blood parameters
• occupational exposure
• Radiology staffs