Preliminary Study of Spontaneous Micronuclei and Hematology Profile of Workers Exposed to Low-Dose Radiation

This study aims to evaluate the conditions suffered by radiation workers based on the concerned indication of complete blood tests and genotoxicity using genomic biomarkers of micronuclei.

A comprehensive approach was taken in this study. A total of 5 ml of blood from every worker was taken for a genotoxic test using CBMN Assay and hemopoietic evaluation. The blood samples from 48 workers were divided into two subgroups, radiation workers and control group. Sub-group I comprised 24 samples that were used as radiation-exposed workers with an average age of 49.17± 8.37 years old and an average working experience of 17.66 ± 9.36 years, and sub-group II comprised 24 samples that were used as the controls with an average age of 39.13 ± 9.37 years old.

Our analysis revealed that the Count Blood Cells (CBCs) parameter of thrombocytes, MCV, and MCH obtained from the exposed subjects were slightly higher than those from the control subjects, but not significantly different (p>0.05). The spontaneous MNBNC from the exposed subjects was also slightly higher, but not significantly different. Importantly, we found a weak correlation between the individual annual dose received and work experience with both the hematology profile and micronuclei, suggesting potential long-term health implications for radiation workers.

The data obtained here showed an increased risk of genetic instability correlated with occupation, exposure time, and dose received by radiation workers. This study's conclusions are significant, as they demonstrate that long-term exposure to ionizing radiation, even below the dose limits, was related to a significantly increased level of some blood biomarkers and genomic instability, highlighting the need for further research and potential changes in occupational health practices.