Medical personnel occupationally exposed to low-dose ionising radiation in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: A cytogenetic study

Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen. 2022 Oct:882:503546. doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2022.503546. Epub 2022 Sep 6.

Abstract

Medical radiation exposures have been reduced significantly with modern equipment and protection measures. Biomonitoring of medical personnel can provide information concerning possible effects of radiation exposure. However, chromosome aberration (CA) analysis is now recommended only when the estimated effective dose is 200 mSv or higher. In this retrospective study in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have measured the cytogenetic status of medical workers and healthy volunteers (controls). Peripheral blood samples from 66 medical workers exposed to low-dose ionising radiation and 89 non-exposed volunteers were collected for chromosome aberrations (CA) analysis and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. Higher rates of chromatid and chromosome breaks, acentric fragments, double minutes, micronuclei, and micronucleated binuclear cells were observed in the control group, while the rate of nucleoplasmic bridges was higher in the medical workers group.

Keywords: Chromosomal aberrations; Cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay; Human biomonitoring; Peripheral blood lymphocytes.

MeSH terms

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Chromosome Aberrations
  • Cytogenetic Analysis
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes* / radiation effects
  • Micronucleus Tests
  • Occupational Exposure* / adverse effects
  • Radiation, Ionizing
  • Retrospective Studies