Cytogenetic Monitoring of Enterprise Workers in Contact with Radionuclides

Buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMCA) using the accumulation index (Iac) of cytogenetic damage is currently one of the best methods of cytogenetic monitoring. The personnel of the enterprise having contact with radionuclides were examined twice with an interval of one year. Three groups were examined: group 1, not in contact with harmful factors (control); group 2, in contact mainly with the chemical factor; group 3, in contact mainly with the radiation factor (the annual accumulated dose is low—up to 5.2 mSv). An integral indicator of harmfulness was calculated, also taking into account the severity and intensity of the work process. In group 3, it is twice as high as in group 2. The average frequencies of cells with cytogenetic damages (micronuclei and nuclear protrusions) in the control group are 1.78 ± 0.27 and 2.25 ± 0.40‰ (2021 and 2022), in group 2 are 1.64 ± 0.70 and 1.86 ± 0.34‰, and in group 3 are 2.81 ± 0.71 and 2.91 ± 0.60‰, respectively. The index of accumulation of cytogenetic damages in the group of personnel in contact with radionuclides is 1.2–2.2 times higher than in the other two (p < 0.05). A repeat examination of the personnel a year later confirmed that the identified patterns are not random. Comparison of the BMCA biomarkers shows their good agreement at the two periods of examination and with the data of a previously conducted examination at another radiation facility. The presented approach is a convenient tool for assessing the negative impact of environmental factors at the group and individual levels.