Occupational Risks and Health Status of Three Radiological Medical Units Personnel

Introduction
There is consistent evidence that exposure to ionizing radiation may result in adverse health effect on medical personnel handling X rays procedures. They are exposed at a sum of risk factors, and their health can be affected. Hematological and genetic tests are usual investigations, not expensive, but very useful in health monitoring. 

Methods
We analyzed working conditions in three Timisoara hospitals: radiology, radiotherapy, and interventional cardiology departments, between 2010 and 2011. We made an ergonomic evaluation of the activity, too. 
Clinical examination, hematological tests and the micronucleus assay were performed. 

Results
The mean age of health professionals was 42.6 years. They perform shift activity, and were chronic exposed at low doses. Physical dosimetry evidenced overexposure in three cases from interventional cardiology department. Clinical examination reveals some phenomenon that cannot be linked at radiations. Symptoms at workplace were headache, rash (2 cases) and musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back pain (nurses). The micronucleus number has registered values between 2 and 91 per 1000 bi-nucleated cells. Hematological findings were not significant. A low anemia was found at 8 females, in all medical groups. Leukocyte formula was affected in some cases, but in a clinical context that exclude ionizing radiation effect.

Discussion
The studied group was heterogenic. Not specific hematological damages were finding. Man (physicians) in electro-physiology and interventional cardiology had highest radiation exposure and the cytogenetic changes were most significant at these professionals. In these conditions, it is necessary to revise their working conditions and especially to decrease the time of exposure. Medical monitoring must be done.