The correlation between high background radiation and blood level of the trace elements (copper, zinc, iron and magnesium) in workers of Mahallat's hot springs

BACKGROUND: Blood trace elements of people who are living or working in areas with high radioactivity have an important role in vital processes. The scope of this work is to measure the concentrations of blood trace elements of permanent workers in Mahallat's hot springs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 30 persons of hot springs permanent workers in Mahallat (mean background dose: 21.6 mSv) were selected as a sample group and 30 persons with similar social class who received a normal background dose and were not engaged in any type of radiation work were selected as a control group. Five milliliters of blood sample was taken from each person and after preparation of the samples, the concentration of copper, iron, zinc and magnesium was measured with atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: The average concentration of copper, iron, zinc and magnesium in the irradiated group was 0.67±0.11, 1.54±0.41, 1.76±0.34 and 19.78±1.42, respectively and in the control group, was 0.78±0.06, 1.06±0.15, 0.85±0.05 and 20.34±0.57, respectively. Values of copper and magnesium in workers were found to be less than that of the control group. The mean concentration of iron and zinc in permanent workers was significantly more than that of the control group (P<0.05). Overall, no meaningful statistical correlation was found between the concentration of magnesium among the permanent presence in the area (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that increases in the average concentrations of Zn and Fe and decreases in the concentration of Cu of workers was observed. The finding also showed that the probability of chronic exposure effects on body trace element concentrations was increases and each value of the doses could be dangerous.