Cataracts among Chernobyl clean-up workers: implications regarding permissible eye exposures |
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Authors: | Worgul B V Kundiyev Y I Sergiyenko N M Chumak V V Vitte P M Medvedovsky C Bakhanova E V Junk A K Kyrychenko O Y Musijachenko N V Shylo S A Vitte O P Xu S Xue X Shore R E |
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Affiliation: | Eye Radiation and Environmental Research Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA. |
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Abstract: | The eyes of a prospective cohort of 8,607 Chernobyl clean-up workers (liquidators) were assessed for cataract at 12 and 14 years after exposure. The prevalence of strictly age-related cataracts was low, as expected (only 3.9% had nuclear cataracts at either examination), since 90% of the cohort was younger than 55 years of age at first examination. However, posterior subcapsular or cortical cataracts characteristic of radiation exposure were present in 25% of the subjects. The data for Stage 1 cataracts, and specifically for posterior subcapsular cataracts, revealed a significant dose response. When various cataract end points were analyzed for dose thresholds, the confidence intervals all excluded values greater than 700 mGy. Linear-quadratic dose-response models yielded mostly linear associations, with weak evidence of upward curvature. The findings do not support the ICRP 60 risk guideline assumption of a 5-Gy threshold for "detectable opacities" from protracted exposures but rather point to a dose-effect threshold of under 1 Gy. Thus, given that cataract is the dose-limiting ocular pathology in current eye risk guidelines, revision of the allowable exposure of the human visual system to ionizing radiation should be considered. |
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