[Risk of leukemia among diagnostic x-ray workers in China between 1950 and 1990].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between radiation and leukemia.


METHODS
Leukemia incidences (1950-1990) in 27011 diagnostic X-ray workers and in 25782 other medical specialists employed between 1950 and 1980 in China were compared.


RESULTS
The relative risk (RR) of leukemia in the diagnostic X-ray workers was 2.25-fold (95% C1=1.59-3.09, P<0.001) higher than that in the control group. The average age of the emergence of leukemia was 10.4 years younger in X-ray workers than in control group. The peak incidence of leukemia in X-ray workers occurred 10-14 years after engaging in X-ray work. The highest RR of leukemia was found in those who were engaged in X-ray work before 1965 or at age under 20 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Incidence of Leukemia in X-ray workers increased and it was correlated with radiation dosage and duration.
Wang
J
J
Institute of Radiation Medicine, CAMS and PUMC, Tianjin 300192.
Li
B
B
Gao
Z
Z
Xu
J
J
Zhang
J
J
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011859:Radiography; D012306:Risk; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult