Cataracts in retired actinide-exposed radiation workers.
Radiation-induced cataracts are predominantly of the posterior sub-capsular (PSC) type, whereas about 90% of age-related cataracts are of other types. Retired workers, likely to have transuranic body burdens, from three DOE-supported installations were questioned regarding their eye-care history and asked for permission to contact their eye-care providers regarding any cataracts. In 97 cases with lifetime exposure records 20 cases (20.6%) were reported to have PSC cataracts. However, of 24 individuals with recorded lifetime doses of 200-600 mSv, nine (37.5%) had PSC cataracts, compared with 15.1% of 73 cases with doses of less than 200 mSv. This difference is statistically significant at the 5% level.
Jacobson
Baruch S
BS
US Transuranium and Uranium Registries, Washington State University--TriCities Richland, WA 99354, USA. zaptwice@verizon.net
D008671:Actinoid Series Elements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D001822:Body Burden; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology*; D005123:Eye / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries; D012179:Retirement; D012307:Risk Factors
D008671:Actinoid Series Elements