Skip to main content
OSTI.GOVU.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information
 

Long-term effects of radium exposure in female dial workers: differential white blood cell count

Journal Article · · Environ. Res.; (United States)
The long-term effects of bone-seeking radionuclides on bone marrow in humans seem worthy of exploration. Leukocyte counts (total white cells, polymorphonuclears, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes) were analyzed among 393 female radium dial workers who were first employed between 1913 and 1929 and most recently examined between 1954 and 1975. Mean and median counts were compared by initial intake level (..mu..Ci of radium per kg of skeleton) within three age-at-least-examination groups (45 to 54, 55 to 64, and 65 to 74 yr). Median estimated 40-yr average alpha doses to trabecular bone marrow in the highest intake levels compared were 9 rad, 104 rad, and 40 rad, in the three age groups. Spearman rank correlation coefficients between radium intake and white cell counts were also calculated. There was little evidence for long-term or late effects of radium exposure on white cell counts. In the younger age groups, lymphocyte count tended to increase with increasing radium intake. In 65 to 74 year olds, eosinophil count decreased with increasing intake (Spearman r = -0.14, P < 0.05). Continued follow-up of this population should help clarify the question of possible long-term effects (direct or indirect) of radium exposure.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL
OSTI ID:
6621188
Journal Information:
Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 15:2; ISSN ENVRA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Long-term effects of radium exposure in female dial workers
Journal Article · Thu Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1977 · Environ. Res.; (United States) · OSTI ID:7300332
Bone cancer among female radium dial workers. Latency periods and incidence rates by time after exposure: brief communication
Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Natl. Cancer Inst.; (United States) · OSTI ID:7075610
Bone cancer among female radium dial workers. Latency periods and incidence rates by time after exposure: brief communication
Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Natl. Cancer Inst.; (United States) · OSTI ID:6605962

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGE DEPENDENCE
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BLOOD COUNT
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
BONE MARROW
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DIAL PAINTERS
DISEASES
DOSES
ELEMENTS
EOSINOPHILS
FEMALES
HEMATOLOGY
HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM
LEUKOCYTES
LYMPHOCYTES
MAMMALS
MAN
MEDICINE
METALS
MONOCYTES
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
ORGANS
PERSONNEL
PRIMATES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIUM
SOMATIC CELLS
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
WOMEN