Radiation Workers Research Articles

Study of Low-Dose Radiation Workers Ionizing Radiation Sensitivity Index and Radiation Dose-Effect Relationship.

In the present study, we analyzed radiation injuries to Chinese workers exposed to low-dose radiation. We discuss the relationships between dose and injury. This study randomly selected 976 radiation workers who underwent occupational health monitoring. The radiation workers were divided into 5 different types of work: radiation diagnosis, radiation therapy, interventional therapy, nuclear medicine, and industrial inspection. This research was approved by the Bioethics Committee at the Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The average annual cumulative dose to interventional radiation workers was the highest, i.e., 0.86 mSv. The detection rate of lens opacity was 37%, but 99.70% of lens opacities occurred in the peripheral cortex. Posterior subcapsular opacification was detected less than 1.00% of the time. The rate of chromosomal aberrations was highest for radiological workers with more than 20 years of service. Annual cumulative dose reached 2.04 mSv, and the monitoring dose for 3 months was as high as 1.62 mSv. Dicentric chromosomes were also detected. The manual packaging and drug delivery nuclear medicine staffs totaled 14 individuals. 131 131 was detected in the thyroids of 4 workers (28.57%). The detection rate of thyroid 131 I was higher in the hand-packed and administered group than in the automatic administration group. Radiation workers exposed to low doses of radiation can sustain injuries. Interventional radiology workers receive the highest doses and sustain the most significant effects. This study suggests that chromosome aberration analysis is an important index in occupational health monitoring of radiological workers. Monitoring of internal radiation exposure cannot be ignored for nuclear medicine staff.

The Relationship of Knowledge About Radiation Hazard Risk with The Level of Compliance with PPE Use in Workers in The Radiology Department of Hospitals

The use of nuclear technology is increasingly high in various aspects, one of which is medicine, especially in the radiology section. X-rays have a very high penetrating power against the material they pass. So that X-rays can be used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in medicine. However, the risk of possible harm to radiation workers is that it can cause hematopoietic damage (blood disorders), such as anemia, leukemia, and leukopenia. Therefore, radiation protection and safety measures are indispensable. Knowledge of the risk of radiation hazards is one of the things that can prevent the impact of radiation. Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship between Radiation Hazard Risk Knowledge and the Level of Compliance with the Use of PPE for Radiation Workers in the Radiology Section of Hospitals in Palembang. Method: This study is an observational analytical, quantitative research design using a cross-sectional approach on 25 respondents’ radiation workers in the radiology department of RSUP Rivai Abdullah, and RSUD Palembang Bari were taken using total sampling. The instrument uses questionnaires on the level of knowledge of radiation hazards and the level of compliance. Results: Fisher's analysis obtained a value of p = 1000, meaning there is no relationship between knowledge and compliance. Conclusion: The results of this study show no relationship between radiation hazard risk knowledge and the level of compliance with the use of PPE for radiation workers in the radiology department of hospitals in Palembang.

Risk of occupational radiation exposure for radiation workers involved in interventional endourology in Saudi Arabia

In recent years, fluoroscopically-guided interventional procedures have become an essential part of endourology practices and widely performed around the world. Despite the many clinical benefits of these procedures, they expose patients and workers to a significant amount of radiation. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the mean annual occupational radiation dose for interventional endourology workers in Saudi Arabia. During the five-year period from 2017 to 2021, 262 interventional endourology workers were monitored to estimate the radiation effective dose during their work routine in 28 Saudi Ministry of Health healthcare facilities. To estimate the radiation effective doses for workers, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were used on a quarterly basis. The interventional endourology workers were asked to operate the TLD-100 device using a lead apron, a thyroid protective collar and leaded protective eyewear to protect most parts of their body. The mean annual effective dose (mSv) was used as an indicator of the overall occupational exposure for the workers. Analysis of the occupational dose data showed that the mean annual effective dose for all workers, averaged over the study period, was 0.70 mSv (0.12–3.18 mSv). The results indicate a safe environment in terms of radiation protection with no single dose exceeding the recommended occupational dose limits. However, optimisation of radiation protection practices is always advised to facilitate a reduction in the occupational exposure to the radiation dose.

PENERAPAN BUDAYA KESELAMATAN TENAGA KESEHATAN DI RUANGAN MAMOGRAFI

A safety culture needs to be applied by health workers for breast diagnostic examinations with x-ray mammography, even though the exposure factor is relatively low compared to other modalities. This study aimed to ensure the application of a safety culture in the operation of mammography examinations. The research method is to measure the scattering radiation exposure with a survey meter and a voltage exposure factor of 28 kV, 20 mAS, Mo/Mo mode around the left and right of the operator's booth in the mammography room from the primary beam with a distance variation of 150 cm- 210 cm and a height of 50 cm, 100 cm, and 160 cm. The results showed that the position of the mammography examination operator must be right behind the Pb glass in the operator's room because if you ignore it, you are not in the correct position behind the Pb glass and do not use personal protective equipment, you will get the potential for exposure to scattered radiation from 11.7 – 24.6 µSv/h. Recommendations related to the procedure need improvement by providing a footmark behind the operator's desk and an alternative to moving the operator's station. Implementing a safety culture includes commitments, strategies, conservative actions, simulation of hazards and unsafe acts, and continuous improvement, which active participation by the regulatory body and hospital management as part of the permit holder's responsibility for protecting radiation workers. Keywords: safety culture, radiation potential, mammography, management

MONITORING OF EYE LENS DOSE HP(3) CATHLAB STAFF USING SOCA DOSIMETER

MONITORING OF EYE LENS DOSE HP(3) CATHLAB STAFF USING SOCA DOSIMETER. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) reduced the cataract threshold dose from 2‒5 Gy to 0.5 Gy, followed by a decrease in the dose limit value (NBD) of the radiation worker's eye lens to 20 mSv/year. Cathlab staff is one of the workers vulnerable to receiving high doses of eye lenses because they work near radiation sources, so staff's eye lens doses need to be monitored. Monitoring is carried out to analyze the dose of eye lenses received by workers and ensure workers are well protected. Eye lens measurement is carried out at Hp(3) or a depth of 3 mm because the lens is sensitive to radiation. Monitoring was carried out for one week on 14 staff (doctors, nurses, and radiographers) and four procedures with an eyepiece dosimeter (SOCA Dosimeter). The eye lens dose obtained for a week ranged from 0.108 – 1.642 mSv, and monitoring per procedure was 0.033 – 0.393 mSv. The annual dose received by workers is based on estimates mostly exceeding the NBD, so tracking with an eye lens dosimeter needs to be done, and eye protection equipment needs to be used to reduce the eye lens dose received. Keywords: Cathlab staff, eye lens dose Hp(3), SOCA dosimeter

PEMANFAATAN TIMBAL BEKAS PADA ALAT POTEKSI RADIASI APR SEBAGAI UPAYA PENERAPAN PROTEKSI RADIASI

Radiation protection is an action taken to reduce the damaging effects of radiation caused by radiation exposure. Many APRs are damaged or unfit for use where APR is used every day and for a long duration of inspection, due to various factors, including storage methods and incorrect procedures for using APR. The purpose of this research is to utilize Pb which is not suitable for use for repairs as a step to limit and optimize radiation protection for radiation workers and patients and to ensure its suitability from damage. This type of research is qualitative by using the Lead Laminated technique. The study used samples, namely Thyroid Shield with a thickness of 0.5 mm Pb and other supporting tools in the form of AIbon glue as an adhesive as well as handscoons, N95 masks, and aprons as personal protective equipment. Methods of collecting data were observation, documentation, and testing of the thyroid shield. The thyroid shield test was carried out using the MSCT Optima 660 64 slices and DR Y-Sio Max modalities. The data collection process was carried out in 3 stages, namely pre-repair, after post-repair, and after observation within 2 months. Based on the observations in Table 2, it was obtained that the previous cracks were well covered and there were no cracks either in the old location or in the new location. The results of the observations showed promising results in repairing the radiation protection device (APR) on the thyroid shield sample using the lead laminated technique. The image results show that there is no crack after repairing the thyroid shield. However, there are pieces of Pb from the repair that are loose from the thyroid shield, which could be due to uneven gluing and less drying during the repair process. Keywords: repair, radiation protection device, thyroid shield

Transparent and radiation shielding effective Na2O–CrO3 borate glasses via AgI additives

The current paper investigates the impact of silver iodide (AgI) on the structure, optical, and radiation shielding parameters of borate glasses embedded with low amounts of CrO3, high levels of Na2O, and various quantities of AgI (from 1 to 5 mol%). These glasses (named BNaCrAg-glasses) were synthesized and their properties were investigated. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses of BNaCrAg-glasses demonstrated that the ratio of BO4/BO3 units increased with increasing AgI. The existence of Cr cations, with their Cr6+ state, was recognized from the absorption bands at 384–392 nm and 334–338 nm. Furthermore, the absorption bands at 580–589 nm at 409–440 nm through the visible region confirmed the existence of Cr-ions as Cr3+ in the octahedral symmetry. The crystal field splitting (10Dq) was calculated from the 580–589 nm bands. The values of 10Dq decreased with AgI doping due to replacing oxygen with iodide anions. The transmittance at 700 nm increased from 24 to 80%, while AgI addition increased from 0 to 5 mol%. The glass sample with the highest AgI content had the lowest half-value layer and maximum linear attenuation coefficient. Thus, the new BNaCrAg-glasses combine good transparency with good attenuation of low energy radiation and can be used to protect the radiation workers. Furthermore, these glasses offer high-energy optical transitions suitable for UV optics, such as ultraviolet digital photography and insect light traps.

Underestimation of Radiation Doses by Compliance of Wearing Dosimeters among Fluoroscopically-Guided Interventional Medical Workers in Korea

This study aimed to estimate the level of underestimation of National Dose Registry (NDR) doses based on the workers’ dosimeter wearing compliance. In 2021, a nationwide survey of Korean medical radiation workers was conducted. A total of 989 medical workers who performed fluoroscopically-guided interventional procedures participated, and their NDR was compared with the adjusted doses by multiplying the correction factors based on the individual level of dosimeter compliance from the questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors for low dosimeter wearing. Based on the data from the NDR, the average annual effective radiation dose was 0.95 mSv, while the compliance-adjusted dose was 1.79 mSv, yielding an 89% increase. The risks for low compliance with wearing a badge were significantly higher among doctors, professionals other than radiologists or cardiologists, workers not frequently involved in performing fluoroscopically-guided interventional procedures, and workers who did not frequently wear protective devices. This study provided quantitative information demonstrating that the NDR data may have underestimated the actual occupational radiation exposure. The underestimation of NDR doses may lead to biased risk estimates in epidemiological studies for radiation workers, and considerable attention on dosimetry wearing compliance is required to interpret and utilize NDR data.

Career burnout and psychological consistency among radiation workers in China: a cross section study

We conducted a survey on the mental status, including burnout, sense of coherence (SOC) and anxiety about radiation exposure among medical radiation workers in China. SOC levels were evaluated through a validated scale, SOC-13. Burnout was measured using the 22-item version of Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS). A total of 277 medical radiation workers answered the questionnaire. The mean values of SOC-13 and burnout were 50 (SD 13.5) and 79.7 (SD 25.7), respectively. The sum scores of SOC-13 and MBI-HSS were significantly linear correlated (p < 0.01, F = 284.239, adjusted R2 = 0.506). Anxiety about radiation exposure was significantly associated with intention to leave employment ( χ 2 = 66.535, p < 0.001, Cramer’s v = 0.347, p < 0.001). The participants who have no anxiety about radiation exposure have significantly higher scores of sense of coherence than those who have mild and moderate anxiety (p < 0.01); they have lower scores of burnout (p < 0.01). The participants who have no intention to leave employment have significantly higher scores of sense of coherence and lower scores of burnout than those who have an intention or hesitate to leave (p < 0.01). Most participants in this study showed considerable caution about whether to participate in radiation work during pregnancy. Anxiety about radiation exposure was considered a contributing factor for burnout and led to the intention to leave employment. Efforts to design targeted interventions, such as educational programs, to mitigate radiation anxiety in medical radiation workers are warranted.

A coverage path planning approach for autonomous radiation mapping with a mobile robot

In nuclear and radiation-related industries, it is crucial to ensure that the radiation dose exposure to the radiation worker is maintained below the permissible dose limit. A radiation map is a useful tool for visualizing the radiation distribution across the work area and for coordinating activities involving the hotspots (high radiation areas). The goal of this work was to design and implement a coverage path planning approach for autonomous radiation mapping carried out by a mobile robot. Given a 2D occupancy map, a method to generate uniformly distributed sampling points was proposed. The geometry of the region of interest, the radiation detector module, and the radiation measurement parameters were considered in formulating the sampling positions. Next, the coverage path planning planner integrates the nearest neighbor and depth-first search algorithms to create a continuous path that enables the robot to visit all the sampling points. The K-means clustering algorithm is added for systematic coverage of a large number of sampling points. The clustering provides options to partition the region of interest into smaller spaces, where the robot would perform the mapping cluster by cluster. Finally, the method of building the radiation map from the acquired data was also presented. The approach was implemented in ROS using a commercial mobile robot equipped with a Geiger–Muller detector. The performance and reliability of the proposed approach were evaluated with a series of simulations and real-world experiments. The results showed that the robot is able to perform autonomous radiation mapping at various target areas. The accuracy of the generated radiation map and the hotspots classifications were also compared and evaluated with conventional manual measurements. Overall, the theoretical frameworks and experiments have provided convincing results in the automation of hazardous work and subsequently toward improving the occupational safety of radiation workers.

Derivation of External Exposure Characteristics of Industrial Radiography Based on Empirical Evidence

Background: This study aims to derive the characteristics of each work type for industrial radiography based on empirical evidence through expert advice and a survey of radiation workers of various types of industrial radiography.Materials and Methods: According to a Korean report, work types of industrial radiography are classified into indoor tests, underground pipe tests, tests in a shielded room (radiographic testing [RT] room test), outdoor field tests, and outdoor large structure tests. For each work type, exposure geometry and radiation sources were mainly identified through the expert advice and workers’ survey as reliable empirical evidence.Results and Discussion: The expert advice and survey results were consistent as the proportion of the work types were high in the order of RT room test, outdoor large structure test, underground pipe test, outdoor field test, and indoor test. The outdoor large structure test is the highest exposure risk work type in the industrial radiography. In most types of industrial radiography, radiation workers generally used 192Ir as the main source. In the results of the survey, the portion of sources was high in the order of 192Ir, X-ray generator, 60Co, and 75Se. As the exposure geometry, the antero-posterior geometry is dominant, and the rotational and isotropic geometry should be also considered with the work type.Conclusion: In this study, through expert advice and a survey, the external exposure characteristics for each work type of industrial radiography workers were derived. This information will be used in the reconstruction of organ dose for health effects assessment of Korean radiation workers.

Adaptive Response of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in Medical Radiation Workers using the Comet Assay: A Preliminary Studyomet Assay: A Preliminary Study

Background: Gamma irradiation can cause DNA damage in single and double-strand breaks (SSBs & DSBs), especially in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Radiotherapy medical radiation workers can be exposed to gamma radiation related to their daily work. The comet assay is a sensitive method for analyzing DNA damage, especially SSBs. This study explores DNA damage in medical radiation workers’ peripheral blood lymphocytes as an adaptive response using the comet assay.Methods: Blood samples were obtained from four radiotherapy medical radiation workers as a case study (MRW) and two non-medical radiation workers as controls, and then irradiated with various doses of 0, 1, 1.5, and 2 Gy. Lymphocytes were isolated by histopaque and processed by comet assay on the slide under alkaline conditions. The imaging results were analyzed using the Casplab_1.2.3b2 software. The comet assay parameters observed were Tail Length (TL), % Tail DNA (T.DNA), Tail Moment (TM), and Olive Tail Moment (OTM). The one-way ANOVA method was used to analyze statistically between treatment groups. Results: Based on the study results, an increase in TL, T.DNA, TM, and OTM values in all samples was directly proportional to the increase in radiation dose. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the MRW group and the control group on each parameter of the comet assay.Conclusions: From this study, it can be concluded that the level of DNA damage of lymphocyte cells as part of the adaptive response in the MRW and control groups was relatively similar after exposure at doses of 0, 1, 1.5, and 2 Gy.

Occupational radiation exposure for various medical radiation workers, especially the dental radiation workers, in Taiwan from 2013 to 2020

Background/purposeThe development of dental radiology in Taiwan has been over a century. This study explored mainly the profile of dental radiation workers and their occupational radiation exposure in Taiwan from 2013 to 2020. Materials and methodsThis study used the secondary data analysis to survey mainly the changes of manpower of the dental radiation workers and their occupational radiation exposure in Taiwan from 2013 to 2020. ResultsThe number of monitored dental radiation workers increased from 678 in 2013 to 770 in 2020. However, the proportion of monitored dental radiation workers to the total monitored medical radiation workers decreased from 4.29% in 2013 to 3.67% in 2020. Although the number of monitored dental radiation workers increased, the number of the measurably exposed dental radiation workers decreased from 2013 to 2020. The annual collective exposure dose fluctuated from 5.21 man-Sv to 15.47 man-Sv, but it showed a decreasing trend. Furthermore, the mean annual effective exposure dose of total monitored dental radiation workers (0.01–0.02 mSv) and that of the measurably exposed dental radiation workers (0.15–1.11 mSv) were relatively low among various medical radiation workers. In overall, the proportion of medical radiation technologists to dentists varied from 0.41 to 0.45. ConclusionAlthough the number of monitored dental radiation workers increase, the number of the measurably exposed dental radiation workers, the proportion of the measurably exposed dental radiation workers to the total monitored dental radiation workers, and the annual collective exposure dose for monitored dental radiation workers decrease from 2013 to 2020.

Impacts of psychological stress on high dose-rate radiation acute effects in a mouse experimental model

Psychological stress affects health. Radiation workers in the medical field or astronauts living in space have possible risks of exposure to radiation, and psychological stress is considered to be easily induced in them due to activities performed in small areas or stress conditions. The impact of psychological stress on the effects of radiation was evaluated in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 10 (SAMP10) mice and ddY mice using a confrontational housing model, which makes dominant and subordinate mice in a cage live together without severe quarrel. Mice of ddY and SAMP10 have been previously demonstrated to be influenced in terms of acute and late effects, respectively, under psychological stress by this model. In SAMP10 mice, irradiation with 4 Gy induced the death of irradiated mice under psychological stress. In ddY mice, irradiation with 5 Gy X-rays alone had almost no effect on the mouse survival, but irradiation in conditions of psychological stress promoted acute death of irradiated mice. In addition, hypocellular bone marrow was also observed histopathologically in irradiated ddY mice under stress. Psychological stress may promote damage caused by radiation through modulation of radio-sensitivity in bone marrow in mice. This model would be useful for evaluation of modulation of radiation-induced various effects by psychological stress.

A preliminary comparison on ophthalmic examination indices of workers with different occupations in Shenzhen

Objective: To compare the ophthalmic examination indices of different occupational groups in Shenzhen and analyze the possible health problems, so as to provide research basis for further health intervention. Methods: In March 2021, 5426 professionals with ophthalmic examination index data were selected from the basic health database of "Shenzhen occupational population protection action". Among them, radiation workers (694), port operators (1756), sanitation workers (946), teachers (224), video workers (154), police (927) and firefighters (100) were selected as the investigated occupational population. They were exposed to noise 625 workers with traditional occupational hazards such as noise, chemical poisons and dust were used as the control population.Ophthalmic examination indices included right eye vision, left eye vision, outer eye, conjunctiva, cornea, lens, and fundus oculi. The differences of each index in different occupational groups were compared. Results: Compared with the control group, the port operator group showed lower abnormal rates of binocular vision and fundus oculi (P<0.05), but higher abnormal rates of conjunctiva (P=0.029), the environmental sanitation worker group showed higher abnormal rates of binocular vision and conjunctiva (all P<0.01), the teacher group had higher abnormal rates of binocular vision, but only the difference of left eye vision was statistically significant (P=0.021), and the video worker group had higher abnormal rates of right and left eyes vision (P=0.029、0.006) . Conclusion: There were some degrees of ophthalmic problems in different occupational population, therefore targeted intervention measures should be taken according to the characteristics of each group.

Regulating alpha-emitting radioisotopes and specific considerations for actinium-225 containing actinium-227

Although alpha-emitting radioisotopes have favorable characteristics for limiting external exposure to radiation workers, there are significant dose consequences associated with accidental internal uptake. Consequently, regulatory requirements and license restrictions are designed to limit such risks to users. This paper will review regulatory limits for decommissioning financial assurance and annual limits on intake for actinium-227, review US Nuclear Regulatory Commission guidance for alpha contamination monitoring, and discuss regulatory examples from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Data integration of National Dose Registry and survey data using multivariate imputation by chained equations.

IntroductionData integration is the process of merging information from multiple datasets generated from different sources, which can obtain more information in comparison to to one data source. All diagnostic medical radiation workers were enrolled in National Dose Registry (NDR) from 1996 to 2011, linked with mortality and cancer registry data. (https://kdca.go.kr/) Survey was conducted during 2012-2013 using self-reported questionnaire on occupational radiation practices among diagnostic medical radiation workers.MethodsData integration of NDR and Survey was performed using the multivariate imputation by chained equations (MICE) algorithm.ResultsThe results were compared by sex and type of job because characteristics of target variables for imputation depend on these variables. There was a difference between the observed and pooled mean for the frequency of interventional therapy for nurses due to different type of medical facility distribution between observed and completed data. Concerning the marital status of males and females, and status of pregnancy for females, there was a difference between observed and pooled mean because the distribution of the year of birth was different between the observed and completed data. For lifetime status of smoking, the percentage of smoking experience was higher in the completed data than in the observed data, which could be due to reasons, such as underreporting among females and the distribution difference in the frequency of drinking between the observed and completed data for males.ConclusionData integration can allow us to obtain survey information of NDR units without additional surveys, saving us time and costs for the survey.

Does occupational ionizing radiation exposure in healthcare workers affect their hematological parameters?

Blood cells are used as the most sensitive marker to determine the effects and intensity of ionizing radiation. This descriptive study aimed to evaluate the effect of radiation exposure on hematological parameters in healthcare workers who were exposed to radiation in a university hospital between May and June 2021. A total of 339 participants were included, of which 169 (49.9%) were radiation workers and 170 (50.1%) were in the control group. A decrease was observed in white blood cell and neutrophil counts in those exposed to ionizing radiation for less than 10 years; however, white blood cell, neutrophil, hemoglobin levels decreased, and red cell distribution width (RDW) levels increased in those exposed to ionizing radiation for 10 years or more (p < 0.005). A statistically significant increase was observed in the RDW and lymphocyte levels as the years of work experience in the profession increase in the group exposed to IR. The findings indicate that the effect of low-dose ionizing radiation on the hematopoietic system is related to the frequency and duration of the dose. Hematological parameters can be sensitive biomarkers of low-dose ionizing radiation; possible disturbances in the hematopoietic system can be recognized before the onset of symptoms, and necessary precautions can be taken promptly.

Radiation Interaction Characteristics of Solutions of La(NO3)3.6H2O and Sm(NO3)3.6H2O in Acetone Using Compton Scattering Technique

This work deals with the evaluation of interaction cross sections, effective atomic number, and effective electron density at gamma photon energies, not available from standard radioisotopes. The Compton scattering technique is used to obtain the required gamma energies within a specific range of energies from 241.8 to 401.8 keV to perform the radiation measurements. Radiation interaction parameters of some inorganic compounds (high-Z rare-earth nitrate hexahydrate), namely, Lanthanum(III) nitrate hexahydrate [La(NO3)3.6H2O] and Samarium(III) nitrate hexahydrate [Sm(NO3)3.6H2O], soluble in low-Z organic solvent (acetone) are evaluated. Six scattering angles are chosen to obtain six (not available from standard radioisotopes) Compton scattered energies to perform narrow-beam transmission experiments. An NaI(Tl) scintillation detector is used to detect the transmitted flux from the different solutions in various proportions. Photon interaction parameters useful in vast basic and applied fields are evaluated. The present measured results, obtained from the Compton scattered technique, are found to be in good agreement with the computed values of radiation interaction parameters obtained from the WinXCom program. The present data on rare-earth solutions have definite scientific importance in nuclear and radiation physics and fill in the gap of nonavailability of such data for radiation workers at these specific energies.

Occupational Low-Dose Radiation Affects the Expression of Immune Checkpoint of Medical Radiologists.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of immune checkpoint cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3) in the peripheral blood T lymphocytes of medical radiologists. The study incorporated 100 male medical radiologists and 107 male healthy controls. The expressions of CTLA-4 and TIM-3 among CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry. The expression levels of CTLA-4 and TIM-3 in the CD4+T cells of radiation workers were lower than those of healthy controls (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the CD8+CTLA-4 expression level was significantly positively correlated with individual cumulative dose (rs = 0.260, p = 0.001, <0.05), while the expression level of CD8+TIM-3 was negatively correlated (rs = −0.180, p = 0.027, <0.05). Low-dose radiation exposure affects the expression of CTLA-4 and TIM-3 in human peripheral blood T lymphocytes. Future studies need to focus on exploring the mechanisms by which CTLA-4 and TIM-3 expression changes in response to low-dose radiation exposure.