Associations of hematological and biochemical parameters with radon exposure among male miners in China.

PURPOSE: Radon is a radioactive gas that produces a large amount of alpha particles during its decay process and a well-recognized health hazard, particularly an established risk factor for lung cancer in high-risk populations such as miners. Although hematological and biochemical parameters are useful indicators of human health status, the impact of radon exposure on these parameters among male miners remains unclear.

METHODS

The participants of this study are 283 male miners in a tin mine in China. A targeted research design was adopted to conduct a questionnaire survey, physical examination, blood sample analysis coupled with radon concentration measurements, statistical analysis was performed to investigate the impact of varying levels of radon exposure on hematological and biochemical parameters among the participants.

RESULTS

Mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), and platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR) decreased significantly across the working-level month (WLM) groups (Bonferroni-corrected P < 0.003), as did albumin (ALB) and the albumin-to-globulin (A/G) ratio (Bonferroni-corrected P < 0.0045). In contrast, urea and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased significantly (Bonferroni-corrected P < 0.0045), whereas platelet count did not differ significantly among groups. Multiple linear regression confirmed WLM as an independent predictor for MPV (β= -0.282, P < 0.0001), PCT (β= -0.165, P = 0.010), P-LCR (β= -0.206, P = 0.002), urea (β = 0.178, P = 0.008), and platelet distribution width (β = 0.184, P = 0.006). All values remained within clinically normal reference ranges.

CONCLUSION

Cumulative occupational radon exposure was independently associated with decreased platelet volume indices and elevated urea levels in miners, suggesting subclinical hematological changes and altered renal-related parameters. MPV may serve as a candidate indicator requiring further validation of radiation-related hematopoietic alterations. These findings contribute to occupational health surveillance frameworks for populations chronically exposed to radon in mining environments.