Physiological Effects of Co-exposure to Ionizing Radiation and Noise within Occupational Exposure Limits

Abstract

Abstract Workers are frequently exposed to the occupational hazards of ionizing radiation and noise. Co-exposure to these hazards is not well understood in terms of their physiological effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological effects of co-exposure to ionizing radiation and noise within the occupational limit. This study extracted the physical examination parameters of workers who met the screening criteria from the occupational health surveillance database. The workers were divided into three groups: the co-exposure (COE) group, the ionizing radiation exposure (ION) group, and the non-exposure (NON) group. The age and sex of the three groups were matched with a sample size ratio of 1:3:3. The physical examination parameters of the three groups of workers were compared. The results showed that there was no significant difference in blood pressure and blood biochemical parameters among the three groups. The COE group had higher levels of free triiodothyronine than the ION group, but there was no difference with the NON group. Moreover, the COE group had lower levels of free tetraiodothyronine than the ION group and the NON group. There was no significant difference in thyroid stimulating hormone, total triiodothyronine, and total tetraiodothyronine among the three groups. Additionally, the number of white blood cells of the COE group was lower than that of ION group and NON group. This study suggests that co-exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation and noise can cause alterations in thyroid hormone and peripheral white blood cells. These alterations are different from those observed after single exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation and require further research.