Analysis on occupational health inspections of 160 radiation professionals in a single institution

Objective: The present study is to study the actual situations for occupational health status of radiation related professionals, providing the rational basis for radiological health protection management. Methods: The personal dose monitoring and occupational health examination of 160 radiation workers in one hospital from Shijiazhuang were included for analysis, consisting of 160 employees from the same unit. Results: The average annual effective dose of radiation workers ranged from 0.6753 mSv to 2.312 mSv. There were differences in the effective average dose for each occupational year (P < 0.05). The average effective dose per year for the radiation therapy subjects was the highest (1.5523 mSv). The average annual effective doses varied from different occupations (P < 0.01). The average annual effective dose of 5 ∼ 10 mSv was higher in the subjects of nuclear medicine and radiotherapy. The lens opacity rate of the radiation group (11.25%) was significantly higher than the control group (3.75%) (P < 0.05). The peripheral blood leukocytes (5.03 × 10⁹/L), hemoglobin (146.34 g/L), and platelet values (180.87 × 10⁹/L) of the radioactive group were all lower than those of the control group (6.33 × 10⁹/L, 169.48 g/L, 222.12 × 10⁹/L); There was no significant difference in the chromosomal aberration cell rate between radiation group (0.04%) and control group (0.03%); however the micronucleus cells rate of the radiation group (10.63‰) were higher than the control group (4.88‰) and there was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Standardized health monitoring of radiation workers is of utmost important. More attentions should be paid to good operating habits and methods, establish and improve protective measures and maintain high degree of self-prevention awareness. The health of radiation workers would be greatly improved. (authors)