Analysis of Hemogram of Radiation Workers in Tangshan, China

• Published in: Journal of clinical laboratory analysis 2016-09, Vol.30 (5), p.682-688
• Main Authors: Qian, Qing-Zeng, Cao, Xiang-Ke, Liu, Hai-Yan, Shen, Fu-Hai, Wang, Qian, Tong, Jun-Wang, Qian, Qing-Qiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: accumulative radiation dose; Adult; Blood; Case-Control Studies; China; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Erythrocytes; Female; Hematologic Tests - methods; hemogram; Humans; indicators; ionizing radiation; Linear Models; Male; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupational hazards; Occupational health; Radiation; Radiation Exposure - adverse effects; radiation workers; Radiation, Ionizing; seniority
• ISSN: 0887-8013; 1098-2825
• DOI: 10.1002/jcla.21922

Objectives This study aimed to investigate changes in peripheral blood cells of radiation workers and explore the impact of long‐term ionizing radiation (IR) on human peripheral hemogram. Methods With a cohort method, we selected 1,392 radiation workers (case group) and 1,430 non‐health‐ray‐exposure history persons (control group) to detect and analyze their peripheral hemogram. FAITH3000 automatic biochemical analyzer was used for blood testing. Examination of peripheral hemogram includes the examination of white blood cells (WBCs), platelet (PLTs), red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), lymphocytes (LYMs), and mononuclear cells (MOs). The data analysis was conducted with software SPSS19.0. Results All the peripheral hemogram indicators (WBCs, RBCs, Hb, PLTs, LYMs, and MOs) in the case group, in accordance with the order of radiology diagnostic medical group, industrial inspection group, petroleum logging group, and radiotherapy medical group, showed a significant decreasing trend and were lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). Besides, with the increase of radiation seniority and accumulative radiation dose, all the peripheral hemogram indicators (WBCs, RBCs, Hb, PLTs, LYMs, and MOs) in the case group dramatically decreased and were lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). Seniority was in negative association with the expressions of WBCs, PLTs, RBCs, Hb, LYMs, and MOs and radiation dose with Hb, LYMs, and MOs (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Long‐term IR has some effects on the health of radiation workers, thus protective measures should be further strengthened.