Investigation of association between high background radiation exposure with trace element concentration's (Copper, Zinc, Iron and Magnesium) of hot springs workers blood in Mahalat

People who live or work in high background radiation areas are subjected to high background radiation dose for long time, with low dose. The biological effect of low dose of radiation in long time and also background radiation is unknown and the mechanism of biological responses to these radiation doses has remained largely unclear. To investigate chronic radiation effects, parameters should be noticed; those have a little but important change in biological system. Body trace element in this regards have an important roles. Trace element plays an important role in vital processes and acceptable ranges of these elements for physiological process are limited. In this study 30 participants of hot springs permanent employee area in mahalat (mean background dose: 21.6 mSiv) were selected as a sample group and 30 persons with similar social class and normal background dose, not engaged in any type of radiation work, selected as control group. Five ml of blood sample was taken from each participant and after preparation of samples, the concentration of elements: copper, iron, zinc and magnesium were measured with atomic absorption spectrometry. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. The average concentration of copper, iron, zinc and magnesium in employee group was 0.67±0.11, 1.54±0.41, 1.76±0.34, 19.78±1.42 and in control group was 0.78±0.06, 1.06±0.15, 0.85±0.05, 20.34±0.57, respectively. Copper concentration in employees was lower than that of control group, although zinc and iron had significant increase in employee group. Magnesium average concentration in employee was lower than that of control group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Statistically (p<0.05) increase in Fe and Zn ratio and decrease in Cu ratio in employee group was found. Although the value of radiation doses of hot springs Permanent employee (chronic doses) is low, but it can change the concentrations of body trace elements, which are important from biological points of view. In this study increases in average concentrations of Zn and Fe and decreases in Cu of employee was observed compared to control group. The genetic diversity, nutritional factors and case sensitivity may be important factors in this regards. This study showed that the lifelong exposure to high background levels of radiation can affect the trace element concentrations and each value of radiation doses can be dangerous.