title: Micronuclei in lymphocytes from radon spa personnel in the Czech Republic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the radiation exposure of radon spa personnel in Jáchymov, Czech Republic.
  
  
  METHODS
  The frequency of micronucleus-containing cells and the percentage of centromere-free micronuclei (micronuclei containing only acentric fragments) was determined in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 42 individuals working at the Jáchymov spa and 42 control individuals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a highly significant increase in the frequency of micronucleus-containing cells as well as the percentage of centromere-free micronuclei in the lymphocytes of spa personnel versus controls. No individual dosimetry data were available. A comparison with results from currently active uranium miners suggests that the individuals examined at the Jáchymov spa had accumulated effective doses in the order of several tens of mSv, very similar to those of the miners.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The spa personnel in Jáchymov needs to be monitored on an individual level.
authors: Department of Radiology and Toxicology, Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Southbohemian University in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. zoelzer@zsf.jcu.cz
authors: Friedo
authors: F
authors: Zölzer
authors: Zdeněk
authors: Z
authors: Hon
authors: Zuzana Freitinger
authors: ZF
authors: Skalická
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: Havránková
authors: Leoš
authors: L
authors: Navrátil
authors: Jozef
authors: J
authors: Rosina
authors: Jiří
authors: J
authors: Škopek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002503:Centromere / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D018153:Czech Republic; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006294:Health Resorts; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D011886:Radon / Q000009:adverse effects; D014501:Uranium
chemical_list: D014501:Uranium; D011886:Radon