[Distribution of haptoglobin genotypes among persons subjected to chronic occupational irradiation in significant...

Haptoglobin (Hp) genotype distribution was studied on 508 individuals from 52 to 78 years of age exposed 35-40 years ago to occupational chronic irradiation at doses considerably exceeding the maximally allowable level. Essential and noncoinciding changes in Hp genotype distribution were found among individuals who were exposed to total doses of external chi-irradiation exceeding 500 cGy or with 239-Pu incorporation exceeding 7.4 kBq. Irradiation-induced changes differed from age-dependent shifts in genotype distribution. It was suggested that variation of mortality from malignancies among individuals with different Hp genotypes might be the cause of these changes.