Study of the Effect of X-Ray on Total and Differential White Blood Cell Count in X-Ray Technicians in Khartoum State

Abstract

X- rays are part of the electromagnetic energy traveling waves which includes radio waves, microwaves, and visible light. X-rays are a form of ionizing radiations produced by firing electrons at a heavy metal target. These ionizing radiations penetrate the living tissues and can destroy living cells or make them functionally abnormal. Objectives: In view of the fact that, the haematopoietic system is highly sensitive to radiation and the peripheral blood count may well serve as a biological indicator of such damage, this study focuses on the total and differential white blood cell count in X- ray technicians . The aim was to study of the effect of X-ray radiation on counting of WBCs in X-ray technicians. Methods: This study was performed in Radiology Departments in different hospitals inKhartoum state, during April to July 2013. In this study 100 blood samples from healthy X-ray technicians were collected, these samples included 52 male and 48 female, with age ranging from 20 - 52 years old and the working periods between 1- 30 years. The study performed by taken 2 ml venous blood from each technicians and then investigated for total white blood cells count by using automated hematology analyzer (sysmex) and differential count(neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocytes, eosinophil, basophil) by man ual technique. The results were analyzed by using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) program. Results: The mean value of TWBC, neutrophil, eosinophil, and basophil count was significantly decreased in X- ray technicians when compared to mean of normal range while the mean value of lymphocyte and monocytes was increase. Conclusion: The present study suggests that increase duration of exposure to X -radiation cause decrease TWBCs, and the effect of X- rays on differential count (Neutrophil, Lympho cyte, Monocyte, Eosinophil, and Basophil) was varies with increasing of duration exposure.