Effects of low level radiation-what's new?

A comprehensive review of the effects of exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation, BEIR VII-Phase 2: Health Risks From Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation, was published in 2006. The BEIR (Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation) reports are a series of publications by the National Academy of Sciences. The last BEIR report on the effects of low level radiation, BEIR V, was published in 1990. To update the risk estimates for exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation, the BEIR committee reviewed recent epidemiologic studies of the atomic bomb survivors, as well as recent studies of populations exposed to radiation from diagnostic and therapeutic medical studies, from occupational exposures and from exposure due to releases of radioactive materials into the environment. Additional increasingly sophisticated epidemiologic studies continue to be published. BEIR VII reconfirmed that the linear no threshold model is the most practical model to estimate radiation risks, especially for radiation protection purposes. The updated risk estimates have not changed significantly from the BEIR V estimates, but the confidence intervals have narrowed as the result of the availability of additional data. The effects of low doses of radiation should be of particular interest to medical professionals because radiation exposure from diagnostic medical studies is, by far, the largest source of radiation exposure from human activity. One recommendation of the BEIR VII report is to perform epidemiologic studies of patients, especially children, who have been exposed to radiation as part of their care. A large, sophisticated epidemiologic study will likely be able to detect an increase in cancer risk. The purpose of this article is to highlight the contents of this important publication with particular emphasis on what is new.     

Cardiovascular disease among atomic bomb survivors

Abstract

Purpose: The profile of cardiovascular disease in Japan has been different from that in Western countries. Hypertension was the major cause not only for hemorrhagic stroke but also for ischemic stroke and heart disease in the past, and the influence of hypertension has decreased with calendar years because of reduced salt intake and westernization of lifestyle, and also improved medical care. The health status of atomic bomb survivors has reflected this profile as well as radiation effects. It is also likely that this cohort has been affected by the difficult conditions experienced in the aftermath of the war and atomic bombings. In this article, we tried to make a consistent interpretation of epidemiological findings of atomic bomb radiation effects on cardiovascular disease.

Conclusion: Among the atomic bomb survivors, radiation exposure was associated with some cardiovascular diseases that are often associated with hypertension, and dose response appeared to be primarily non-linear among those who were exposed at younger ages. These effects are thought to reflect the nature of whole body irradiation. But, some findings remain inconsistent, possibly because of possible misclassification in death certificate diagnoses in the Life Span Study as well as selected information from the Adult Health Study which was limited to participants, focused on specific outcomes, and gathered in selected periods of follow-up. Therefore, a comprehensive and balanced interpretation of the results from both groups is necessary.     

急性核辐射对人的远期效应

内容仅涉及事故性急性核辐射的远期效应:1.日本原爆幸存者(包括宫内受照者约2800名)的流行病学调查结果,归纳为强关联、弱关联和无关联的远期效应。在第8～15孕周阶段接受1Gy照射的胎儿,约有43%会发生智力发育延迟,为受照0.01Gy以下的对比组危险度的50倍以上。对原爆人群各部位癌症的相对、绝对和归因危险作了介绍。对原爆幸存者受照射后怀孕所生子女(1946年5月以后出生),用(1)不利的妊娠结果、(2)死亡事件、(3)携带有性染色体异常儿童的频率、(4)携有由于基因突变引起的血液蛋白电泳变异体儿童的频率等遗传学指标提示,近爆心(<2000m)幸存者(>1Gy)所生儿童与远离爆心组(0.01～0.09Gy)相比,仅仅是预期趋势上有差别,实际上未发现有统计学意义的差异。即使如此,这两组儿童间的差异用上述4个指标中的前3个观察结果,估计了加倍剂量,平均数是1.56Sv,但是有争议。2.马绍尔群岛放射性落下灰受照居民医学随访近况,甲状腺疾病发病率高,而在日本原爆幸存者中则未见类似情况,估计与马绍尔群岛居民甲状腺因摄入放射性碘而照射量较大有关。3.日本福隆丸号渔民受落下灰照射后远后效应资料。4.美国Y-12工厂共8名受照者的远后效应:4例有放射性白内障,1998年时仅活存3例。5.前苏联切尔诺贝利核电站事故中急性放射病(ARS)病人远后效应:2例Ⅲ度ARS病人分别于照后第6年和第9年发生骨髓增生异常综合征(MDS)引起死亡,1例Ⅰ度ARS病人也于照后第9年诊断为MDS,另一例Ⅱ度ARS病人照后第11年发生急性单核细胞白血病。6.巴西137Cs事故5年后远期效应。     

Cover-up of the effects of internal exposure by residual radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The criteria certifying atomic bomb disease adopted by the Japanese government are very different from the actual state of the survivors. The criteria are based on epidemiological research by the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, the successor to the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC). The ABCC studied only the effects of primary radiation from the atomic bombing on the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and ignored the damage from residual radiation. Analysis of the incidence of acute radiation disease, the rate of chromosomal aberrations, and the relative risks of chronic disease among the survivors, shows that the effects of residual radiation from fallout exceeds that of primary radiation in the area more than 1.5-1.7 km distant from the hypocentre of the Hiroshima bombing. The effects of internal exposure due to intake of tiny radioactive particles are more severe than those of external exposure, explaining the difference between the official criteria and the actual state of the survivors.     

The Body at War

Abstract

The criteria certifying atomic bomb disease adopted by the Japanese government are very different from the actual state of the survivors. The criteria are based on epidemiological research by the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, the successor to the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC). The ABCC studied only the effects of primary radiation from the atomic bombing on the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and ignored the damage from residual radiation. Analysis of the incidence of acute radiation disease, the rate of chromosomal aberrations, and the relative risks of chronic disease among the survivors, shows that the effects of residual radiation from fallout exceeds that of primary radiation in the area more than 1.5–1.7 km distant from the hypocentre of the Hiroshima bombing. The effects of internal exposure due to intake of tiny radioactive particles are more severe than those of external exposure, explaining the difference between the official criteria and the actual state of the survivors.     

Dosimetric aspects of exposure of the population to ionizing radiation

Radiation carcinogenesis is generally considered to be the most important detrimental effect of exposure to ionizing radiation. The collective effective dose-equivalent values due to medical procedures amount to values between 10 and 20 per cent of the doses received from natural radiation. Risk factors have been derived up to the present from three large epidemiological studies, notably atomic bomb survivors, spondylitis patients and female patients treated for cancer of the cervix. The assessment of the absorbed doses received by the inhabitants of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has received continuous attention and the latest estimates are summarized. On the basis of original radiotherapy records the absorbed doses in organs adjacent to the primary treatment field can be derived from computerized dosimetry and this source of information should be further exploited. European co-operation has been established to investigate dosimetric problems for medical applications and radiation protection. The risk factors obtained up to the present are derived at relatively high dose levels (in excess of 0.3 Gy). The uncertainties in the extrapolation of these values to the area of low doses administered at low dose rates are discussed.     

Dosimetric Aspects of Exposure of the Population to Ionizing Radiation

Summary

Radiation carcinogenesis is generally considered to be the most important detrimental effect of exposure to ionizing radiation. The collective effective dose-equivalent values due to medical procedures amount to values between 10 and 20 per cent of the doses received from natural radiation. Risk factors have been derived up to the present from three large epidemiological studies, notably atomic bomb survivors, spondylitis patients and female patients treated for cancer of the cervix. The assessment of the absorbed doses received by the inhabitants of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has received continuous attention and the latest estimates are summarized. On the basis of original radiotherapy records the absorbed doses in organs adjacent to the primary treatment field can be derived from computerized dosimetry and this source of information should be further exploited. European co-operation has been established to investigate dosimetric problems for medical applications and radiation protection. The risk factors obtained up to the present are derived at relatively high dose levels (in excess of 0·3 Gy). The uncertainties in the extrapolation of these values to the area of low doses administered at low dose rates are discussed.     

Therapy for prevention and treatment of skin ionizing radiation damage: a review

Abstract

Radiologic accidents or terrorist acts involving radioactive material, as well as radiation exposure in medical or industrial procedures are potential sources of risk for human health. All these risks share a common element, exposure to ionizing radiation. The extent of ionizing radiation injury will depend on a number of independent variables such as dose, type of radiation and tissue, etc. As a result of ionizing radiation exposure, biological effects can take place in acute or long-term manner. As in the case of other self-renewing tissues (e.g. hematopoietic system and intestinal epithelium), skin is also extremely sensitive to ionizing radiation. In this way, appropriate management of radiation skin effects might improve the therapeutic benefit of medical radiation therapy, as well as reduce the mortality associated with any radiological incident (e.g. accident or terrorist attack). For this reason, current and potential future treatment approaches for skin radiation injury are reviewed in this work. Unfortunately, there is no sufficient evidence for establishing a standard treatment to prevent or mitigate radiation-induced cutaneous injury. Thus, continued research is necessary to achieve effective therapies to address this important health problem.     

Bioavailable serum estradiol may alter radiation risk of postmenopausal breast cancer: a nested case-control study

Purpose: Ionizing radiation and high levels of circulating estradiol are known breast cancer carcinogens. We investigated the risk of first primary postmenopausal breast cancer in relation to the combined effects of whole-body ionizing radiation exposure and prediagnostic levels of postmenopausal sex hormones, particularly bioavailable estradiol (bE₂).

Materials and methods: A nested case-control study of 57 incident breast cancer cases matched with 110 controls among atomic bomb survivors. Joint effects of breast radiation dose and circulating levels of sex hormones were assessed using binary regression and path analysis.

Results and conclusion: Radiation exposure, higher levels of bE₂, testosterone and progesterone, and established reproductive risk factors were positively associated with postmenopausal breast cancer risk. A test for mediation of the effect of radiation via bE₂ level suggested a small (14%) but significant mediation (p?=?0.004). The estimated interaction between radiation and bE₂ was large but not significant (interaction?=?3.86; p?=?0.32). There is accumulating evidence that ionizing radiation not only damages DNA but also alters other organ systems. While caution is needed, some portion of the radiation risk of postmenopausal breast cancer appeared to be mediated through bE₂ levels, which may be evidence for cancer risks due to both direct and indirect effects of radiation.     

Prevalence of atherosclerosis in relation to atomic bomb radiation exposure: an RERF Adult Health Study

PURPOSE: To determine whether exposure to atomic bomb radiation altered the prevalence of asymptomatic atherosclerosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional analysis, we examined aortic arch calcification by plain chest radiography and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) by ultrasonography among 1804 survivors of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. We evaluated the association between atherosclerotic changes and radiation exposure, while adjusting for potentially confounding factors. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aortic arch calcification was significantly associated with radiation exposure (p < 0.05). The odds ratio at 1 Gy was 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05 - 1.53) for men and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.13 - 1.51) for women. Carotid artery IMT did not vary significantly with radiation dose (p = 0.18). CONCLUSION: Radiation dose contributed to the prevalence of aortic atherosclerosis but not carotid artery atherosclerosis in atomic bomb survivors.     

Current issues and actions in radiation protection of patients

Medical application of ionizing radiation is a massive and increasing activity globally. While the use of ionizing radiation in medicine brings tremendous benefits to the global population, the associated risks due to stochastic and deterministic effects make it necessary to protect patients from potential harm. Current issues in radiation protection of patients include not only the rapidly increasing collective dose to the global population from medical exposure, but also that a substantial percentage of diagnostic imaging examinations are unnecessary, and the cumulative dose to individuals from medical exposure is growing. In addition to this, continued reports on deterministic injuries from safety related events in the medical use of ionizing radiation are raising awareness on the necessity for accident prevention measures. The International Atomic Energy Agency is engaged in several activities to reverse the negative trends of these current issues, including improvement of the justification process, the tracking of radiation history of individual patients, shared learning of safety significant events, and the use of comprehensive quality audits in the clinical environment.     

Rationale for using multiple antioxidants in protecting humans against low doses of ionizing radiation

Health risks of low doses of ionizing radiation (10 cGy or less) may not be accurately estimated in humans by epidemiological study or mathematical modelling because of several inherent confounding factors including environmental, dietary and biological variables that cannot be accounted for in any radio-epidemiological study. In addition, the expression of radiation-induced damage in humans not only depends upon total dose, dose rate, linear energy transfer (LET), and fractionation and protraction of total doses, but also on repair mechanisms, bystander effects, and exposure to chemical carcinogens, tumour promoters and other toxins. It also depends upon the levels of anti-carcinogenic and anti-tumour promoting agents. Low doses of ionizing radiation should not be considered insignificant with regard to increasing the incidence of somatic mutations (neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases) and heritable mutations in humans owing to its interaction with other toxins that can enhance damage produced by irradiation. It is very prudent to continue to support the well-established radiobiological concept that no radiation dose can be considered completely safe, and that all efforts must be made to reduce both the radiation dose and biological damage, no matter how small that damage might be, without sacrificing the benefits of radiation. Based on the results of many scientific experiments, formulations containing multiple antioxidants for biological protection against radiation damage in humans can be developed, and this strategy together with the existing physical concept of radiation protection, should further reduce potential risks of low doses of ionizing radiation in humans.     

Telomere shortening and ionizing radiation: A possible role in vascular dysfunction?

Abstract

Purpose: In recent years, growing epidemiological evidence has linked ionizing radiation exposure to cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease. However, there are still major gaps in the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced vascular disease, especially for low-dose levels. Telomeres, repetitive DNA sequences of (TTAGGG)_n located at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, play a role in regulating vascular aging, and shorter leukocyte telomere length has been demonstrated to predict cardiovascular disease and mortality. There is also evidence supporting the crucial role of telomeres in the formation of chromosome and chromatid aberrations induced by ionizing radiation.

Conclusions: The purpose of the present paper is to review the recent advances in the biological mechanisms determining telomere length erosion after ionizing radiation exposure as well as to examine the hypothesis that telomere shortening may be the crucial mediator leading to detrimental vascular effects after ionizing radiation exposure.     

Rays as weapons

PURPOSE: Ionizing radiation is being regarded as life threatening. Therefore, accidents in nuclear power plants are considered equal threatening as nuclear bomb explosions, and attacks with dirty bombs are thought as dangerous as nuclear weapon explosions. However, there are differences between a nuclear bomb explosion, the largest imaginable accident in a nuclear power plant, and an attack with a dirty bomb. It is intended to point them out. METHOD: The processes are described, which damage in a nuclear bomb explosion, in the largest imaginable accident in a nuclear power plant, and in an attack with a dirty bomb. Their effects are compared with each other, i.e. explosion, heat, shock wave (blast), ionizing radiation, and fallout. RESULTS: In the center of the explosion of a nuclear bomb, the temperature rises to 100Mio degrees C, this induces damaging heat radiation and shock wave. In the largest imaginable accident in a nuclear power plant and in the conventional explosion of a dirty bomb, the temperature may rise up to 3000 degrees C, heat radiation and blast are limited to a short distance. In nuclear power plants, explosions due to oxyhydrogen gas or steam may occur. In nuclear explosions the dispersed radioactive material (fall out) consists mainly of isotopes with short half-life, in nuclear power plants and in dirty bomb attacks with longer half-life. The amount of fall out is comparable in nuclear bomb explosions with that in the largest imaginable accident in a nuclear power plant, it is smaller in attacks with dirty bombs. An explosion in a nuclear power plant even in the largest imaginable accident is not a nuclear explosion. In Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there were 200,000 victims nearly all by heat and blast, some 300 died by ionizing radiation. In Chernobyl, there have been less than 100 victims due to ionizing radiation up till now. A dirty bomb kills possibly with the explosion of conventional explosive, the dispersed radioactive material may damage individuals. The incorporation of irradiating substances may kill and be difficult to detect (Litvinenko). A new form of (government supported) terrorism/crime appears possible. CONCLUSION: The differences are important between a nuclear weapon explosion, the largest imaginable accident in a nuclear power plant, and an attack with a dirty bomb. Nuclear weapons kill by heat and blast; in the largest imaginable accident in a nuclear power plant, they are less strong and limited to the plant; an attack with a dirty bomb is as life threatening as an ("ordinary") bomb attack, dispersed radiating material may be a risk for individuals.     

Prevalence of atherosclerosis in relation to atomic bomb radiation exposure: An RERF Adult Health Study

Purpose: To determine whether exposure to atomic bomb radiation altered the prevalence of asymptomatic atherosclerosis.

Material and methods: In a cross-sectional analysis, we examined aortic arch calcification by plain chest radiography and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) by ultrasonography among 1804 survivors of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. We evaluated the association between atherosclerotic changes and radiation exposure, while adjusting for potentially confounding factors.

Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aortic arch calcification was significantly associated with radiation exposure (p < 0.05). The odds ratio at 1 Gy was 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05 – 1.53) for men and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.13 – 1.51) for women. Carotid artery IMT did not vary significantly with radiation dose (p = 0.18).

Conclusion: Radiation dose contributed to the prevalence of aortic atherosclerosis but not carotid artery atherosclerosis in atomic bomb survivors.     

Radiology and pregnancy. Principles, general requirements and exposure

In a radiology department there are frequently asked questions associated with pregnant and breast feeding women. These are related to either pregnant patients or staff members or the questions are centered on the fetus as a patient. For pregnant patients the potential exposure to the mother and the fetus related to the imaging modality selected as well as the effects of the necessary contrast media must be taken into account. Even for methods without ionizing radiation possible limitations in the use for pregnant women must be discussed. Finally, this medical check defines the imaging modality and the necessary protocol and contrast media. The present article describes the legal requirements in Germany, the technical exposure and pharmacological risks for the pregnant woman and the fetus regarding imaging modalities with and without ionizing radiation. The forthcoming second article will address the risk analysis for examinations with ionizing radiation and will present recommendations for typical clinical imaging problems.     

Radiologie und Schwangerschaft

In a radiology department there are frequently asked questions associated with pregnant and breast feeding women. These are related to either pregnant patients or staff members or the questions are centered on the fetus as a patient. For pregnant patients the potential exposure to the mother and the fetus related to the imaging modality selected as well as the effects of the necessary contrast media must be taken into account. Even for methods without ionizing radiation possible limitations in the use for pregnant women must be discussed. Finally, this medical check defines the imaging modality and the necessary protocol and contrast media. The present article describes the legal requirements in Germany, the technical exposure and pharmacological risks for the pregnant woman and the fetus regarding imaging modalities with and without ionizing radiation. The forthcoming second article will address the risk analysis for examinations with ionizing radiation and will present recommendations for typical clinical imaging problems.     

我国医用辐射防护研究概况

医学放射学技术的迅速发展及介入放射学在临床广泛应用，使更多的人受到电离辐射的照射，同时也促进了医疗照射防护工作的发展。文中重点综述了我国医用辐射防护工作者近年来在Ｘ射线ＣＴ的医疗照射防护、对介入放射学工作者的剂量监测以及应用医疗照射防护体系，降低医疗照射剂量等方面所作出的成绩和研究进展     

Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and the occurrence of cataract

Radiation cataract is one of ensuing effects of ionizing radiation, since its threshold dose under which it does not occur, and above which it shows dose dependency, has been observed. Clinical course of radiation cataract is identical for all the types of ionizing radiation and is very typical. Minimal dose for progressive cataract formation is determined by the type of radiation, i.e., its relative biological efficacy, dose, and the duration of the exposure period. Theoretically, threshold dose existence does not exclude the incidence of cataract formation under significantly smaller doses, as well. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of cataract formation among the medical staff professionally exposed to ionizing radiation. Neither of the diagnosed cataracts had typical morphology, nor was the correlation established between the dose, exposure time, and the cataract formation. All the diagnosed cataracts were described as premature, and therefore ionizing radiation was considered as a co-factor in premature cataract formation in the examined groups.     

The effects of diagnostic X-ray exposure on the human fetus: an examination of the evidence.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality among children exposed prenatally or preconceptually to diagnostic x-rays, as compared to nonirradiated controls. In those studies radiation exposure occurred on a selective basis, as the examination was always medically indicated. Comparisons of those studies and comparable ones in which radiation exposure occurred on a nonselective basis (from routine pelvimetry examinations or atomic bomb radiation) indicate that the latter studies do not confirm the former and a significant discrepancy is present in each instance. Thus, some doubt is cast on the validity of the former studies.