Possible discrepancies between dicentric chromosome frequencies and recorded ionizing radiation doses: In vivo study

Background The available data on the effects of radiation on humans' are li mited to the reports of accidental exposure or studies of patients under di agnostic and therapeutic treatment; few reports refer to a occupationally e xposed population groups. Methods The research was conducted on 66 subjects employed in the Departmen t of Nuclear Medicine and 41 nonemployed controls. For each of them chromos omal analysis and gamma-spectrometer analysis of 24-hour urine were carried out. Exposure doses were measured using film-badge dosimetry. Results The comparison of dosimetric data obtained by film-badge measuremen ts and the frequency of dicentric chromosomes in each subject revealed no c orrelation between the two observed parameters. Conclusions In view of the above results, the subjects should be studied wi thin job/task groups as they are far more likely to receive comparable dose s. Am. J. Ind. Med. 36:469-474, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.