Background
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of nuclear weapons workers. Our study population consisted of 327 plutonium-exposed workers with absorbed lung doses from 0 to 2,800 rem and 194 workers who had no estimated plutonium exposure. Absorbed lung dose was calculated as part of an internal dose assessment. We compared severity of posteroanterior chest radiograph interstitial abnormalities between the two groups using the International Labour Organization (ILO) profusion scoring system.
Findings: There was a significantly higher proportion of abnormal chest radiographs among plutonium workers (17.4%) as compared to non-plutonium workers (7.2%), p=<0.01. Of those plutonium workers with absorbed lung doses greater than 1,000 rem, 37.5% had an abnormal chest x-ray compared to other plutonium workers (17%), p=0.05.
Interpretation: Inhaled plutonium may cause lung fibrosis in humans, especially at absorbed lung doses above 1,000 rem.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Occupational Disease, Radiation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.