title: Cataracts among Chernobyl clean-up workers: implications regarding permissible eye exposures.
abstract: The eyes of a prospective cohort of 8,607 Chernobyl clean-up workers (liquidators) were assessed for cataract at 12 and 14 years after exposure. The prevalence of strictly age-related cataracts was low, as expected (only 3.9% had nuclear cataracts at either examination), since 90% of the cohort was younger than 55 years of age at first examination. However, posterior subcapsular or cortical cataracts characteristic of radiation exposure were present in 25% of the subjects. The data for Stage 1 cataracts, and specifically for posterior subcapsular cataracts, revealed a significant dose response. When various cataract end points were analyzed for dose thresholds, the confidence intervals all excluded values greater than 700 mGy. Linear-quadratic dose-response models yielded mostly linear associations, with weak evidence of upward curvature. The findings do not support the ICRP 60 risk guideline assumption of a 5-Gy threshold for "detectable opacities" from protracted exposures but rather point to a dose-effect threshold of under 1 Gy. Thus, given that cataract is the dose-limiting ocular pathology in current eye risk guidelines, revision of the allowable exposure of the human visual system to ionizing radiation should be considered.
authors: Eye Radiation and Environmental Research Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA.
authors: B V
authors: BV
authors: Worgul
authors: Y I
authors: YI
authors: Kundiyev
authors: N M
authors: NM
authors: Sergiyenko
authors: V V
authors: VV
authors: Chumak
authors: P M
authors: PM
authors: Vitte
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Medvedovsky
authors: E V
authors: EV
authors: Bakhanova
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: Junk
authors: O Y
authors: OY
authors: Kyrychenko
authors: N V
authors: NV
authors: Musijachenko
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Shylo
authors: O P
authors: OP
authors: Vitte
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Xu
authors: X
authors: X
authors: Xue
authors: R E
authors: RE
authors: Shore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology*; D047852:Chernobyl Nuclear Accident; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007904:Lens Cortex, Crystalline / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D012306:Risk