Title: Unstable chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei analyses in the biomonitoring of workers occupationally exposed to ionising radiation

Authors: Thiago De Salazar e Fernandes, Ademir Amaral, Mariana Brayner Cavalcanti, Lidiane Regia Pereira Braga, Raul A. Morais Melo

Addresses: Grupo de Estudos em Radioprotecao e Radioecologia (GERAR), Departamento de Energia Nuclear – Centro de Tecnologia e Geociencias, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Luiz Freire, 1000, 50740-540 Cidade Universitaria, PE, Brazil. ' Grupo de Estudos em Radioprotecao e Radioecologia (GERAR), Departamento de Energia Nuclear – Centro de Tecnologia e Geociencias, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Luiz Freire, 1000, 50740-540 Cidade Universitaria, PE, Brazil. ' Grupo de Estudos em Radioprotecao e Radioecologia (GERAR), Departamento de Energia Nuclear – Centro de Tecnologia e Geociencias, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Luiz Freire, 1000, 50740-540 Cidade Universitaria, PE, Brazil. ' Grupo de Estudos em Radioprotecao e Radioecologia (GERAR), Departamento de Energia Nuclear – Centro de Tecnologia e Geociencias, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Luiz Freire, 1000, 50740-540 Cidade Universitaria, PE, Brazil. ' Fundacao de Hematologia e Hemoterapia de Pernambuco (HEMOPE), Rua Joaquim Nabuco, 171, Gracas, 52011-000 Recife, PE, Brazil

Abstract: The quantification of unstable chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes is a method commonly used in biodosimetry by cytogenetic analysis, especially when physical dosimetry cannot be performed. In this context, the aim of this research was to compare these methods in the biomonitoring of health professionals occupationally exposed to ionising radiation. In parallel, the C-banding technique was applied to confirm the presence of unstable chromosomal aberrations (dicentrics and rings). For this, samples of peripheral blood from health professionals of three hospitals (Recife – Brazil) were collected and lymphocyte cultures were carried out based on classical cytogenetic techniques. The number of cells scored per subject was the same (1000) for each assay. Among the individuals, those who do not usually wear a lead apron had higher frequencies of unstable chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei than the ones who carefully observe the radioprotection rules.

Keywords: biomonitoring; chromosome aberrations; cytogenetic analysis; micronuclei; worker exposure; ionising radiation; occupational health; low radiation; peripheral blood lymphocytes; biodosimetry; radioprotection rules; radiation protection.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2006.012004

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2006 Vol.3 No.4, pp.299 - 309

Published online: 09 Jan 2007 *

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