An Exploratory Study of DNA and Chromosomal Damage in UK Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives. Nuclear medicine technologists are chronically exposed to ionising radiation, yet the biological effects of chronic low-dose exposure remain poorly understood. This exploratory pilot study investigated DNA and chromosomal damage in technologists as biomarkers of occupational radiation exposure. Methods. DNA double-strand breaks were quantified by γH2AX immunofluorescence in cultured lymphocytes from blood samples of 20 technologists before and after radiotracer administration as well as from age- and sex-matched controls. The frequency of dicentric chromosomes, a well-established marker of radiation damage, was also scored. Participants completed questionnaires on occupational and lifestyle factors. Historical dose records were reviewed and dosimetry practices assessed by observation of dosimeter use. Results. Following routine radiopharmaceutical administration, technologists showed higher background γH2AX foci/cell than controls. Technologists also showed higher dicentric chromosome frequencies than controls while higher frequencies were observed among participants with a family history of cancer. There was a modest difference in the mean γH2AX foci/cell frequency between female and male participants. No significant associations were observed with smoking status and age. Weak correlations were noted with years of employment. Compliance with wearing personal dosimeters was high among technologists. Conclusion. γH2AX foci and dicentric chromosome frequencies were highly variable across groups and higher in nuclear medicine technologists. These findings provide preliminary evidence of differences in biomarkers of DNA and chromosomal damage in occupationally exposed technologists, suggesting that these biomarkers may have potential for detecting biological effects of low-dose occupational radiation exposure. Larger long-term studies are needed to determine whether these differences are related to occupational radiation exposure or to other factors that vary between individuals , and to assess the potential utility of these biomarkers for individualised routine biological monitoring as a supplement to dosimetry monitoring.
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225444000