Biological markers of external and internal exposure in shelter construction workers: a 13-year experience

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the cellular, molecular, genetic and non-invasive functional biomarkers of occupational irradiation in workers exposed to a combination of external gamma-radiation and incorporation of transuranium elements. Results: A study was performed in 688 radiation workers of Shelter object conversion into a safe system with mean shift dose of external exposure of 26.06 mSv (range: 0.1–113.35) and risk of internal exposure with transuranium elements. Several biological parameters could serve as biomarkers of exposure at radiation doses below 100 mSv and even in 20–50 mSv interval. The parallel changes were shown in decline of brain electric activity, telomere length, differences in CCND1, CDKN1A, CDKN2A, VEGFA, TP53, DDB2 genes expression. An increase in counts of dicentrics, pair fragments and TCR-variant lymphocytes at doses over professional limits shows the need of biological dosimetry. The most sensitive markers include TCR-CD4+, γ-H2AX+ and CyclinD1+ cell counts. Implementation of flow cytometry approach for these markers enables quick obtaining of quantitative data. Confounding factors included respiratory function and smoking. The study of the radiation workers with the history of chronic exposure in radiation area during 3–5 years demonstrates changes of compensatory origin, i.e. absence of telomere shortening, increased number of NK-cells in combination with lower expression of intracellular γ-H2AX.