Routine Diagnostic X-Ray Examinations and Increased Frequency of Chromosome Translocations Among US Radiologic Technologists

Details

• Personal Author:
  Alexander BH ; Bhatti P ; Doody MM ; Edwards AA ; Karnpa D ; Petibone D ; Preston DL ; Ron E ; Sigurdson AJ ; Tucker JD ; Yong LC
• Description:
  The U.S. population has nearly one radiographic examination per person per year, and concern about cancer risks associated with medical radiation has increased. Radiologic technologists were surveyed to determine whether their personal cumulative exposure to diagnostic X-rays was associated with increased frequencies of chromosome translocations, an established radiation biomarker and possible intermediary suggesting increased cancer risk. Within a large cohort of U.S. radiologic technologists, 150 provided a blood sample for whole chromosome painting and,were interviewed about past X-ray examinations. The number and types of examinations reported were converted to a red bone marrow (RBM) dose score with units that approximated 1 mGy. The relationship between dose score and chromosome translocation frequency was assessed using Poisson regression. The estimated mean cumulative RBM radiation dose score was 49 (range, 0-303). After adjustment for age, translocation frequencies significantly increased with increasing RBM dose score with an estimate of 0.004 translocations per 100 cell equivalents per score unit (95% confidence interval, 0.002-0.007; P < 0.001). Removing extreme values or adjustment for gender, cigarette smoking, occupational radiation dose, allowing practice X-rays while training, work with radioisotopes, and radiotherapy for benign conditions did not affect the estimate. Cumulative radiation exposure from routine X-ray examinations was associated independently with increased chromosome damage, suggesting the possibility of elevated long-term health risks, including cancer. The slope estimate was consistent with expectation based on cytogenetic experience and atomic bomb survivor data. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Age Factors Aging Cells, Cultured Chromosomes Genetics Neoplasms Occupational Health Radiation Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Smokers

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• Keywords:
  Age-factors Age-groups Biological-monitoring Cancer-rates Cell-biology Cell-cultures Cell-growth Cell-morphology Cell-transformation Cellular-structures Chromosome-disorders Genes Genetic-factors Radiation-exposure Radiation-hazards Radiation-measurement Radiation-sources Risk-analysis Risk-factors Smoking Statistical-analysis

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• ISSN:
  0008-5472
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  68
• Issue:
  21
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20034728
• Citation:
  Cancer Res 2008 Nov; 68(21):8825-8831
• Contact Point Address:
  Alice J. Sigurdson, Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services, 6120 Executive Boulevard, EPS 7060, MSC 7238, Bethesda, MD 20892
• Email:
  sigurdsa@mail.nih.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2009
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Cancer Research
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:2c59e3d9ff36d23737e0a0e17d007e5fda3f51d55ce0bfd0e2e18204cbfdff4d186d278ffd348054012a4ea8c8a837694d8da2198b4067427f560a4d887d16ce
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/186830/cdc_186830_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 250.19 KB ]