[Analysis of occupational health status of radiation workers in Jiangsu province in 2023].

Objective

To analyze the distribution characteristics and influencing factors of abnormal findings in occupational health examinations among radiation workers in Jiangsu Province in 2023, and to provide scientific evidence for optimizing radiation occupational protection strategies.

Methods

In January 2025, occupational health examination data of 74009 radiation workers from 13 prefecture-level cities in Jiangsu Province in 2023 were collected. Testing items included peripheral blood leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, eye lens examination, thyroid ultrasonography, thyroid function (T(3), T(4), TSH), lymphocyte micronucleus, and chromosomal aberration. The chi-square test and Cochran-Armitage trend test were used for univariate analysis. Binary logistic regression (dependent variable: whether each indicator was abnormal; independent variables: sex, length of service, type of examination, occupational category) was performed to identify influencing factors.

Results

The abnormal rates, from high to low, were: thyroid ultrasonography 45.34% (8550/18858), thyroid function 7.69% (3295/42855), leukocyte count 7.18% (5313/74009), lymphocyte count 4.78% (3537/74009), chromosomal aberration 0.27% (60/22466), eye lens 0.23% (173/74009), and lymphocyte micronucleus 0.23% (119/51543). Multivariate analysis showed that female sex was an independent risk factor for abnormalities in leukocyte count, eye lens, and thyroid ultrasonography (OR=1.39, 1.61, 1.61; P<0.01). The abnormal rates for eye lens and thyroid ultrasonography increased significantly with longer length of service (χ(2)(trend)=67.17, 25.83; P<0.001). Compared with the diagnostic radiology post, nuclear medicine and interventional radiology posts were associated with increased risk of lymphocyte micronucleus abnormality (OR=5.15, 3.93; P<0.01). Compared with pre-placement personnel, personnel at exit examination had increased risk of abnormalities in eye lens, thyroid ultrasonography, and thyroid function (OR=2.38, 1.22, 1.46; P<0.05) .

Conclusion

The health damage among radiation workers in Jiangsu Province shows clear differences by sex, post, and length of service. Protection in high-risk posts such as nuclear medicine and interventional radiology should be strengthened.