Genetic damages in radiation workers of radiology centers in Bushehr port

Unstable genetic aberrations might provide a good marker for assessing genetic damage in populations exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation.The frequency of these aberrations was estimated in peripheral lymphocytes from hospital workers in Bushehr Port, occupationally exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation (54 subjects) and age and sex matched controls. A total of 34 (23 males & 11 females) subjects had unstable genetic aberrations (50 chromosomal-type & 31 chromatid type) but only 7 subjects in control group had unstable genetic aberrations. When compared with controls, exposed workers showed a significant increase in structural chromosomal-type aberrations (p<0.001 OR=11) chromosomal exchange being the most frequent alteration. Chromatid deletion (18 cases) and ring chromosome (4 cases) were seen only in exposed group. There was no association between smoking status, sex, age, level of education or working years. The increased frequencies of chromosomal damage in radiation workers, indicate conducting cytogenetic analysis in parallel to physical dosimetry in the working place.