Analysis of occupational health examination data of 215 radiation workers from hospitals in Jiayuguan, China / 中国辐射卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand the effects of long-term exposure to ionizing radiation on the health of radiation workers. Methods A total of 215 radiation workers were randomly selected and assigned to the exposure group and 197 non-radiation workers were assigned to the control group. The occupational health examination results of the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results The WBC count of the exposure group was lower than that of the control group (P＜0.05), while the abnormality rates of ocular lens, ECG, liver function, and thyroid function were significantly higher in the exposure group than in the control group (P＜0.05). In the exposure group, the abnormality rate of liver function was lower in females than in males, and the abnormality rate of hemoglobin level was higher in females than in males (P＜0.01). The abnormality rate of ocular lens increased with age (P＜0.01). The abnormality rate of hemoglobin level was different among different age groups (P＜0.01). The abnormality rate of ocular lens increased with increasing years of service. The abnormality rates of RBC count and hemoglobin level in the general radiotherapy group were higher than those in the interventional radiotherapy group (P＜0.01). Sex was the influencing factor for abnormal liver function (P＜0.01). Conclusion Prolonged exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation can adversely affect the health of radiation workers in medical institutions.