title: Evaluation of the genotoxic effects of chronic low-dose ionizing radiation exposure on nuclear medicine workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nuclear medicine workers are occupationally exposed to chronic ionizing radiation. It is known that ionizing radiation may have damaging effects on chromosomes. In the present study, we investigated the genotoxic effects of ionizing radiation on nuclear medicine workers. We used two different indicators of genotoxicity methods: sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus (MN).
  
  
  METHODS
  The present research was carried out using 21 nuclear medicine workers (11 females and 10 males) during two periods: during normal working conditions and after a 1-month vacation. The radiation dose varied from 1.20 to 48.56 mSv, which accumulated during the occupational exposure time between two vacations. Peripheral blood samples were taken from each subject for two distinct lymphocyte cultures (SCE and MN) in each period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In nearly all subjects, SCE values increased significantly during radiation exposure compared to the postvacation period (P<.05). Similarly, MN frequencies in most of the subjects increased significantly during radiation exposure compared to the postvacation period (P<.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed that both SCE and MN frequencies in most of the subjects were significantly higher during exposure to ionizing radiation than after a 1-month vacation period. However, this genotoxic effect was reversible in most of the subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey. alibabam2001@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: Abdulgani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tatar
authors.forename: Sitki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oztas
authors.forename: Bedri
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seven
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Varoglu
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yesilyurt
authors.forename: Arif Kursad
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ayan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D006693:Holidays; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009683:Nuclear Medicine; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors; D000078329:Workforce