The impact of computed tomography exposure on mineral elements and hematological parameters in occupational workers
Thabit Elias Basheer1, Edrees M Tahir2, Asaad H Ismail1
1Department of Physics, Education College, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Objective:
To investigate the impact of occupational computed tomography (CT) exposure on serum major and trace elements and hematological parameters among radiology workers.
Materials And Methods:
A cross-sectional multi-site study was conducted across four public hospitals in Duhok and Zakho from August 2024 to March 2025. Forty-six radiology staff members (24 males, 22 females) were recruited. Personal radiation exposure was monitored. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for five mineral elements includes (sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), chloride (Cl-), and iron (Fe)) and hematological analysis was performed.
Results:
Annual personal equivalent dose rates (Hp (10)) varied significantly across hospitals, ranging from 0.37 ± 0.25 mSv to 1.13 ± 0.16 mSv. Significant variations were observed in Cl- (p = 0.0025), Na+ (p = 0.0028), and Fe levels (p = 0.0428), while Ca2+ and K+ remained stable across sites. Gender-based analysis revealed significantly higher Ca2+ (9.43 ± 0.47 vs 9.12 ± 0.51 mg/dL, p = 0.0379), Na+ (142.2 ± 4.03 vs 139.8 ± 3.45 mmol/L, p = 0.0434), and Fe concentrations (101.0 ± 27.95 vs 73.25 ± 21.70 μg/dL, p = 0.0005) in males compared to females. Hematological analysis demonstrated significant variations in white blood cell (WBC) (p = 0.0357) among hospital groups, while red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and platelet counts showed no significant differences (p = 0.327, p = 0.189, and p = 0.595, respectively).
Conclusion:
CT exposure influences certain major elements and blood parameters in CT workers.
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