Increased Incidence of Thyroid Cancer in Occupational Radiation Epidemiology: Attribution to Screening among Radiation Workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 195 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Songwon Seo ◽  
Soojin Park ◽  
Dal Nim Lee ◽  
Eun Shil Cha ◽  
Sunhoo Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Radiation Workers ◽  
Radiation Epidemiology ◽  
Occupational Radiation

EVALUATION OF OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION EXPOSURE IN A RADIO-DIAGNOSTIC FACILITY IN KATSINA- NIGERIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 722-729
Author(s):  
Usman Sani ◽  
Bashir Gide Muhammad ◽  
Dimas Skam Joseph ◽  
D. Z. Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Dose ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Short Exposure ◽  
Skin Dose ◽  
Continuous Training ◽  
Short Exposure Time ◽  
Occupational Dose ◽  
Dose Limits ◽  
Radiation Workers ◽  
Occupational Radiation

Poor implementation of quality assurance programs in the radiation industry has been a major setback in our locality. Several studies revealed that occupational workers are exposed to many potential hazards of ionizing radiation during radio-diagnostic procedures, yet radiation workers are often not monitored. This study aims to evaluate the occupational exposure of the radiation workers in Federal Medical Centre Katsina, and to compare the exposure with recommended occupational radiation dose limits. The quarterly readings of 20 thermo-luminescent dosimeters (TLDs') used by the radiation workers from January to December, 2019 were collected from the facility's radiation monitoring archive, and subsequently assessed and analyzed. The results indicate that the average annual equivalent dose per occupational worker range from 0.74 to 1.20 mSv and 1.28 to 2.21 mSv for skin surface and deep skin dose, measured at 10 mm and 0.07 mm tissue depth respectively. The occupational dose was within the recommended national and international limits of 5 mSv per annum or an average of 20 mSv in 5 years. Therefore, there was no significant radiation exposure to all the occupational workers in the study area. Though, the occupational radiation dose is within recommended limit, this does not eliminate stochastic effect of radiation. The study recommended that the occupational workers should adhere and strictly comply with the principles of radiation protection which includes distance, short exposure time, shielding and proper monitoring of dose limits. Furthermore, continuous training of the radiation workers is advised.

scholarly journals Assessing the health effects associated with occupational radiation exposure in Korean radiation workers: protocol for a prospective cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e017359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Songwon Seo ◽  
Wan Young Lim ◽  
Dal Nim Lee ◽  
Jung Un Kim ◽  
Eun Shil Cha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Occupational Radiation Exposure ◽  
Radiation Workers ◽  
Occupational Radiation

IntroductionThe cancer risk of radiation exposure in the moderate-to-high dose range has been well established. However, the risk remains unclear at low-dose ranges with protracted low-dose rate exposure, which is typical of occupational exposure. Several epidemiological studies of Korean radiation workers have been conducted, but the data were analysed retrospectively in most cases. Moreover, groups with relatively high exposure, such as industrial radiographers, have been neglected. Therefore, we have launched a prospective cohort study of all Korean radiation workers to assess the health effects associated with occupational radiation exposure.Methods and analysisApproximately 42 000 Korean radiation workers registered with the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission from 2016 to 2017 are the initial target population of this study. Cohort participants are to be enrolled through a nationwide self-administered questionnaire survey between 24 May 2016 and 30 June 2017. As of 31 March 2017, 22 982 workers are enrolled in the study corresponding to a response rate of 75%. This enrolment will be continued at 5-year intervals to update information on existing study participants and recruit newly hired workers. Survey data will be linked with the national dose registry, the national cancer registry, the national vital statistics registry and national health insurance data via personal identification numbers. Age-specific and sex-specific standardised incidence and mortality ratios will be calculated for overall comparisons of cancer risk. For dose–response assessment, excess relative risk (per Gy) and excess absolute risk (per Gy) will be estimated with adjustments for birth year and potential confounders, such as lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status.Ethics and disseminationThis study has received ethical approval from the institutional review board of the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences (IRB No. K-1603-002-034). All participants provided written informed consent prior to enrolment. The findings of the study will be disseminated through scientific peer-reviewed journals and be provided to the public, including radiation workers, via the study website (http://www.rhs.kr/) and onsite radiation safety education.

Occupational radiation exposure and morbidity of circulatory disease among diagnostic medical radiation workers in South Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (11) ◽  
pp. 752-760
Author(s):  
Eun Shil Cha ◽  
Lydia B Zablotska ◽  
Ye Jin Bang ◽  
Won Jin Lee
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Circulatory Disease ◽  
Occupational Radiation Exposure ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Medical Radiation ◽  
Radiation Workers ◽  
Occupational Radiation ◽  
Circulatory Diseases

ObjectivesWe investigated the association between low-dose external occupational radiation exposure and circulatory disease morbidity among diagnostic medical radiation workers.MethodsA cohort of 11 500 diagnostic medical radiation workers was linked with the National Dosimetry Registry data and the National Health Insurance Service data. Relative risks (RRs) were calculated to explore the association between occupational factors and circulatory disease morbidity, and excess relative risks per 100 milligray (ERR/100 mGy) were estimated to quantify the radiation dose-response relationship.ResultsOverall, there were 2270 cases of circulatory diseases during 93 696 person-years of observation (average follow-up=8.1 years). RRs for hypertension were significantly increased for individuals who started working before 2000 compared with those who started in 2005 and later. ERR/100 mGy for all circulatory diseases was 0.14 (95% CI −0.57 to 0.99). Radiation risks of cerebrovascular diseases and ischaemic heart disease were non-significantly increased with estimates of individual cumulative doses to the heart (ERR/100 mGy=3.10 (−0.75 to 11.59) and 1.22 (−0.71 to 4.73), respectively). However, ERR estimates were generally more strongly positive for female versus male workers and for younger workers versus more than 50-year-old workers.ConclusionsThis study provides little evidence in support of a positive association between occupational radiation exposure and the overall risk of circulatory disease over a short follow-up period among medical radiation workers in South Korea. However, significantly increased RR with earlier year first worked, elevated ERR in female workers and young workers should be further followed up.

scholarly journals Study on Occupational Radiation Exposure at Different Hospitals in Nepal using ThermoluminescenceDosimetry

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-185
Author(s):  
Prabhash Acharya ◽  
Gita Chalise ◽  
Bipin Rijal ◽  
Hari Prasad Lamichhane ◽  
Buddha Ram Shah
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Radiological Protection ◽  
Occupational Radiation Exposure ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Routine Work ◽  
Occupationally Exposed ◽  
Dose Limits ◽  
Radiation Workers ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Occupational Radiation

 The clinical efficacy of using ionizing radiation in diagnosis and treatment of diseases has been revolu­tionized, benefitting humankind and, at the same time, imposing deleterious health effects, if not han­dled carefully. Personnel dosimetry has emerged as an essential tool to monitor occupational radiation exposure. The present study intends to reveal and describe the scenario of occupationally exposed staff by assessing an individual’s dose in radiological facilities at different hospitals in Nepal. Thermo luminescent Dosimetry (TLD) has been used for assessing individual doses. Altogether eight hospitals were chosen from different locations of Nepal. TLD badges were worn by the radiation workers on their chest level while working with the radiological equipment for about three to ten months during their routine work. Later the badges were read out in the TLD badge reader system available at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) to obtain the exposed doses. CaSO4: Dy was used as TL phosphor. Exposed doses for health personnel during their routine work were founding the range of (2.21 to 16.17) 0.01 mSv per year, which was low compared to the permissible dose limit of 20 mSv per year set up by International Commission on Radiological Protection(ICRP). Although the exposed dose rates in the monitored hospitals are below the recommended dose limits, it should be made as low as possible based on the ALARA principle.

scholarly journals Occupational radiation exposure and its health effects on interventional medical workers: study protocol for a prospective cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e018333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seulki Ko ◽  
Hwan Hoon Chung ◽  
Sung Bum Cho ◽  
Young Woo Jin ◽  
Kwang Pyo Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Occupational Radiation Exposure ◽  
Radiation Workers ◽  
Occupational Radiation

IntroductionAlthough fluoroscopically guided procedures involve a considerably high dose of radiation, few studies have investigated the effects of radiation on medical workers involved in interventional fluoroscopy procedures. Previous research remains in the early stages and has not reached a level comparable with other occupational studies thus far. Furthermore, the study of radiation workers provides an opportunity to estimate health risks at low doses and dose rates of ionising radiation. Therefore, the objectives of this study are (1) to initiate a prospective cohort study by conducting a baseline survey among medical radiation workers who involve interventional fluoroscopy procedures and (2) to assess the effect of occupational radiation exposure and on the overall health status through an in-depth cross-sectional study.Methods and analysisIntervention medical workers in Korea will be enrolled by using a self-administered questionnaire survey, and the survey data will be linked with radiation dosimetry data, National Health Insurance claims data, cancer registry and mortality data. After merging these data, the radiation organ dose, lifetime attributable risk due to cancer and the risk per unit dose will be estimated. For the cross-sectional study, approximately 100 intervention radiology department workers will be investigated for blood tests, clinical examinations such as ultrasonography (thyroid and carotid artery scan) and lens opacity, the validation of badge dose and biodosimetry.Ethics and disseminationThis study was reviewed and approved by the institutional review board of Korea University (KU-IRB-12-12-A-1). All participants will provide written informed consent prior to enrolment. The findings of the study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed scientific journals, conference presentations, and a report will be submitted to the relevant public health authorities in the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help with the development of appropriate research and management policies.

scholarly journals Occupational radiation exposure and cancer incidence in a cohort of diagnostic medical radiation workers in South Korea

2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2021-107452
Author(s):  
Won Jin Lee ◽  
Seulki Ko ◽  
Ye Jin Bang ◽  
Seung-Ah Choe ◽  
Yeongchull Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Solid Cancer ◽  
Radiation Doses ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Medical Radiation ◽  
Radiation Workers ◽  
Risk Of Cancer ◽  
Occupational Radiation

ObjectivesWe investigated the association between protracted low-dose ionising radiation and the risk of cancer in medical radiation workers, the largest group of workers with occupational radiation exposures.MethodsData of all South Korean diagnostic medical radiation workers enrolled at the National Dose Registry during 1996–2011 were merged with the death and cancer incidence data until 31 December 2017. SIRs, relative risks and excess relative risks (ERRs) for cancer were calculated to quantify the radiation dose–response relationship using Poisson regression models.ResultsA total of 3392 first primary cancer cases were identified among 93 920 diagnostic medical radiation workers. The mean cumulative badge dose in the cohort was 7.20 mSv. The ERRs for solid cancer with a 5-year lag and haematopoietic cancers with a 2-year lag for all workers were 0.15 per 100 mGy (95% CI −0.20 to 0.51) and 0.09 per 100 mGy (95% CI −2.02 to 2.20), respectively. The ERRs for cancers did not significantly vary by job title, different lag years or after excluding thyroid and lung cancers. Sensitivity analyses restricted to workers employed for at least 1 year, or who were employed in or after 1996, or who had exposure to a cumulative badge dose of 1 mSv or more showed similar results.ConclusionsOccupational radiation doses were not significantly associated with cancer incidence among South Korean diagnostic medical radiation workers. However, cautious interpretation of ERRs is needed due to the limitations of short follow-up and low cumulative radiation doses.

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