Ionizing radiation and medical personnel. I

The levels were studied of immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA in the blood serum and of IgA in the saliva of personnel of radiodiagnostic and nuclear medicine units in the Central Bohemian Region (Czechoslovakia). The purpose of the experiment was to find the effect of ionizing radiation on the immunity mechanism in man. It was observed that the average levels of immunoglobulins IgG and IgA were lower in personnel exposed to occupational radiation hazards than in the controls. Age dependent differences in the levels of IgG and IgA were not significant in the exposed personnel while the length of employment significantly affected the distribution curve which showed several peaks. Radiation doses little affected the immunoglobulin levels in the blood serum while the levels of IgA in the saliva showed a significant variation with the radiation dose. Age dependent and length of employment dependent differences were insignificant. The study thus verified different immunological behaviour induced by radiation in man. (L.O.)