Multiple Myeloma in Radiography Testing Worker

Abstract

Backgrounds: Radiography Testing (RT) is a non-destructive testing method mainly using x-ray and γ-rays emitted from Ir192 and Co60 nuclides. X-rays, and γ-rays are reported by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as carcinogens inducing multiple myeloma in human with limited evidences. In this study, the amount of exposure to radiation and probability of causation (PC) of multiple myeloma were assessed in a 65-year-old of patient who worked as an inspector in shipyards and plumbing works using radiation for 9 years. Methods: Cumulative radiation exposure was calculated using the records of past personal dosimeter and previous studies. PC developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI) and Radiation Health Research Institute was used to assess the causal relationship between radiation exposure and disease under exposure scenarios. Results: Considering that the patient rarely used the collimator nor shielding equipment during works at shipyard (1983~1988), we calculated the radiation exposure under the scenario assuming collimator was used in half at shipyard work. The radiation exposure dose of workers was estimated to be a minimum of 73.76mSv and a maximum of 1688.34mSv. The PC accounting for attribution of radiation to the cancer was 47.74% applying the upper 95th confidence value. Conclusions: The work-relatedness between RT without using protective equipment and shielding in the past and multiple myeloma was approved by the Epidemiological Investigation and Evaluation Committee for this case. Keywords: Occupational disease, Multiple myeloma, Radiography testing, Radiation exposure dose, KOSHA-PEPC