CYTOGENETIC BIOMONITORING OF 65 RADIOLOGY TECHNOLOGISTS OCCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED TO CHRONIC DOSES OF X-IRRADIATION IN IRAN

The frequency of chromosomal aberrations was studied in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 65 radiology technologists CRT) working at hospitals chronically exposed to x-rays. Although film dosimetry did not show the maximal annual permitted dose in any of the examined subjects, cytogenetic analysis detected fairly high levels of chromosomal aberrations in R T compared to unexposed controls. The mean frequencies of structural chromosome aberration per 100 lymphocyte metaphases of workers and the controls were 2.93 and 0.54 respectively, excluding the high level of achromatic lesions registered. The difference between them was statistically significant with a P-value of <0.05.