Survey on health status of radiation workers in Changshu in 2018

Objective To understand the general health status of radiation workers by analysis of their data of occupational health examination in Changshu City.

Methods A total of 481 radiation workers who received occupational health examination in Changshu City in 2018 were included and the data of some workers were compared with the previous data during 2010 to 2017 if there was.

Results Among the 481 radiation workers, 377 (78.38%)were medical workers, 104 (21.62%) were enterprise workers (more than 90% of them were metal processing industry, industrial flaw detection posts). The age ranged from 19 to 76, and the average age was (37.30±10.51) years old. The exposure time varied from 1 month to 48 years with average of (10.39±10.28) years. The maximum annual individual dose was 0.167 mSv, and the average annual individual dose was (0.053±0.022) mSv, which was the lowest in the past years. Eight workers with leucopenia, 9 workers with neutropenia, 5 workers with thrombocytopenia, 42 workers with lens opacity and 10 workers with chromosomal abnormalities were found. Compared with the previous data, lens opacification increased gradually (P < 0.01), and the abnormal rate of others decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the data of reference population, the mean value of leukocytes and platelets of these workers was higher and the occurrence of leukopenia was lower (P < 0.05).

Conclusion The overall exposure level of ionizing radiation of radiation workers in Changshu City was relatively low, but protection of lens should be paid more attention to.