Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2019. Vol. 64. No. 1. P. 26–30

RADIATION MEDICINE

DOI: 10.12737/article_5c55fb303a76b7.90880128

I.A. Galstyan, A.S. Kretov, L.A. Merzlikin, I.V. Vlasova, A.Yu. Bushmanov, Yu.D. Udalov

Possible Criteria of the Diagnosis of Occupational Lung Cancer in Workers of Uranium Mines

A.I. Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I.A. Galstyan – Head of Lab., Dr. Sci. Med.;
A.S. Kretov – Head of Dep.;
L.A. Merzlikin – Specialist in Occupational Medicine, Dr. Sci. Med., Prof.;
I.V. Vlasova – Specialist in Occupational Medicine;
A.Yu. Bushmanov – Deputy Director, Dr. Sci. Med., Prof.;
Yu.D. Udalov – Deputy Director General, PhD Med.

Abstract

Purpose: Search of possible criteria of the diagnosis of occupational lung cancer in workers of uranium mines on the basis of the analysis of literary data.

Material and methods: The analysis of literary data with the purpose of allocation of possible criteria and their use for the diagnosis of occupational lung cancer at 6 employees of uranium mines.

Results: The following criteria for the diagnosis of occupationally caused lung cancer at workers of uranium mines are marked out:

  • Total effective dose of radiation exposure is more 200–250 mSv (40–50 WLM).
  • Period in underground conditions is not less than 10 years.
  • Dust content in a workplace is more than 1 mg/m3.
  • Hygienic assessment of working conditions – the 3rd class, 3.2–3.4 degree.
  • The latent period of development of a tumor is not less 10 years.
  • Development of primary and multiple synchronous or metachronous lung cancer.

Also the diagnosis of occupational lung cancer the pulmonary anamnesis (frequent bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis of the smoker) has to be considered.

On the basis of the marked-out criteria documents of 6 employees of uranium mines, at which lung cancer has been revealed, are considered. On the basis of the carried-out analysis at 5 patients relation of a disease with professional activity has been established. One patient was denied this relation.

Conclusion: Authors offer this expert approach to experts’ discussion as above-mentioned criteria is planned to be used by the pathologists who are carrying out observation of workers of uranium production and for the solution of questions of relation of a disease with professional activity of the patient.

Key words: uranium production, radon, lung cancer, occupational diseases, establishment criteria

REFERENCES

  1. ICRP Publication 103. Recommendations ICRP of 2007. Moscow. 2009: 312 p.
  2. Epidemiological studies of radiation and cancer. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. 54 session. Vienna. 2006: 350 p.
  3. List of occupational diseases. Annex of the Order of Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia. April 27 2012. No. 417n. (Russian).
  4. ICRP Publication 126. Radiological Protection against Radon Exposure. Moscow. 2015: 91 p. (Russian).
  5. Lung cancer in workers of uranium mines. In «Lung cancer epidemiology». Ed. DG Zaridze, IK Pleshko, YuS Sidorenko, TV Shelyakina. Moscow. 1990: 240 p. (Russian).
  6. Gneusheva GI, Malashenko AV. Occupational pathology of lungs in workers of uranium mines. Moscow. 2007: 140 p. (Russian).
  7. Ahmed DU. Professional radiation safety at uranium mines and facilities. Bulletin IAEA. 1981;23(2):34-8.
  8. Shalaev IL, Glushinsky MV, Tokarev HM, Byzov EV. Epidemiological investigation of lung cancer mortality of uranium miners. BRM. 1986;1:80-5. (Russian).
  9. Belugina RN. Epidemiological investigation of uranium miners. BRM. 1986;1:48-52. (Russian).
  10. Malashenko AV, Nakatis YaA. Questions of professional lung pathology of uranium miners. Medicine of Extreme Situations. 2012;2:28-34. (Russian).
  11. Malashenko AV, Nakatis YaA. Ethiology and specificities of morphogenesis of lung cancer in workers of uranium miners. Clinic Hospital. 2017;19(1):17-22. (Russian).
  12. ICRP Publication 115. Risk of Lung Cancer Occurrence after Radon and it’s Decay Products Exposure. Radon statement. Moscow. 2013: 91 p. (Russian).
  13. Szymendera SD. The radiation exposure compensation act (RECA): compensation related to exposure to radiation from weapons testing and uranium mining. CRS Report. 2015: 17 p. (Russian).
  14. Ivanov AE, Kurshakova NN, Soloviev AI. Radiation lung cancer. Moscow. Medicine. 1990: 223 p. (Russian).
  15. Mahlay TN, Burenin PI. About relation of cancer of trachea, bronchial tubes, lung with nonspecific lung diseases in uranium facility workers. BRM.1983;3:35-40.
  16. Manual on hygienic assessment of working environment and labor process factors. Criteria and classification of labor conditions. 1.11.2005: 161 p.

For citation: Galstyan IA, Kretov AS, Merzlikin LA, Vlasova IV, Bushmanov AYu, Udalov YuD. Possible Criteria of the Diagnosis of Occupational Lung Cancer in Workers of Uranium Mines. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2019;64(1):26-30. (Russian).

DOI: 10.12737/article_5c55fb303a76b7.90880128

PDF (RUS) Full-text article (in Russian)