Risk of malignant neoplasms depending on the absorbed dose in the personnel of the Polessky State Radiation and Ecological
Keywords:
cancer risk, absorbed dose, work in radionuclide-contaminated areasAbstract
The level and nature of the constant influence of radiation on the body remain unclear. In this regard, an analysis of cancer risk among employees of the Polesie State Radiation-Ecological Reserve was conducted. The aim of the study was to assess the risk of cancer among personnel of the Polesie State Radiation-Ecological Reserve working in radioactively contaminated areas, depending on the absorbed doses of ionising radiation. The study involved 1,838 employees (1,592 men and 246 women) engaged in various roles over the period from 1989 to 2024. The indirect standardisation method was used to assess the risk. Standardised by age, calendar period, sex, and place of residence incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated. The analysis did not indicate an increased risk of cancer among employees. No dose-response relationship was observed between the level of radiation exposure and the risk of malignant neoplasms. However, a statistically significant high risk was noted among employees with a history of exceeding an effective internal dose of 1 mSv. In this group, there was a high risk of gastrointestinal malignancies (SIR=1.9 (1.06-3.24)): oesophagus (SIR= 13.8 (1.67-49.88)), small intestine (SIR= 57.1 (1.45-318.02)), colon (in 2020-2024, SIR= 17.5 (2.12-63.21)). A high risk of malignancies of the renal pelvis (SIR= 20.5 (2.48-73.95)) and the brain (SIR= 4.2 (1.15-10.78)) was also observed among workers who were liquidators of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident. A high risk of stomach and oesophageal cancer was observed in individuals with an average annual effective dose of external radiation exceeding 2.0 mSv, while patients at high risk of renal pelvis cancer had doses in the range of 1.0-1.99 mSv. Thus, it can be concluded that high risks for workers are noted for malignancies of the digestive system and may be associated with the consumption of contaminated food.
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