Does occupational exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation affect bone marrow thrombopoiesis?

BACKGROUND: The biological effects of high levels of radiation exposure are fairly well known, but the effects of low levels of radiation are more difficult to determine because the deterministic effects do not occur at these levels. METHODS: In order to assess the risk of this exposure on BM thrombopoiesis, we measured reticulated platelets (RP) by flow cytometry in 14 hospital workers (12 technicians and 2 nurses) exposed to low level ionizing radiation in Radiotherapy Department in South Egypt Cancer Institute. RESULTS: There are significant difference in the percentage of RP in the peripheral circulation of the workers (p = .008) and no significant difference in the proportion of other blood elements in the peripheral circulation. CONCLUSIONS: We think that measuring RP by flow cytometry is a rapid, non-invasive method to asses an early affection of thrombopoiesis. This type of monitoring may be used as an indicator to detect early BM affection and to demand more controls in radiation protection.