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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Public Health
Sec. Environmental Health and Exposome
Volume 12 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1452730

Analysis of genetic instability induced by radon exposure in iron mine processing workers in Shandong province, northern China

Provisionally accepted
Lianying Fang Lianying Fang Fangfang Wu Fangfang Wu *Weiguo Li Weiguo Li *Dianjun Hou Dianjun Hou *Ya Ma Ya Ma *
  • School of Preventive Medicine, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Radon, a colorless and odorless radioactive gas, poses serious health risks. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer and notably increases lung cancer risk in smokers. Although previous epidemiological studies have mainly examined lung cancer rates in miners, the effects of radon on genomic stability and its molecular mechanisms are not well understood.Methods: This study evaluated chromosomal aberrations (CA) and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) in miners' lymphocytes, investigating the relationship between cytogenetic damage and variables such as exposure duration and age. Additionally, gene expression profiles were compared between radon-exposed miners and a control group to identify genes involved in DNA damage repair.Results: We observed a significant increase in CA and CBMN among underground miners. Gene expression analysis showed 14 genes were up-regulated and 4 down-regulated in the exposed group compared to controls.These findings indicate a strong link between high radon exposure and genomic instability in miners. Improved monitoring of work environments and stronger protective measures are critical to safeguarding miners' health.

    Keywords: Randon, genetic instability, miners, Occupational Health, Ionizing radiation

    Received: 26 Jun 2024; Accepted: 18 Nov 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Fang, Wu, Li, Hou and Ma. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Fangfang Wu, School of Preventive Medicine, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
    Weiguo Li, School of Preventive Medicine, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
    Dianjun Hou, School of Preventive Medicine, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
    Ya Ma, School of Preventive Medicine, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.