Author/Authors :
Mortazavi, S. M. J Medical Physics Department - School of Medicine - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Mortazavi, Gh Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC) - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Mortazavi, S. A. R Student of Research Committee - School of Medicine - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Paknahad, M Oral and Dental Disease Research Center - School of Dentistry - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract :
Man has been exposed to different levels of natural background radiation since the
creation of human life. There are inhabited areas around the world with extraordinary
levels of natural background radiation. The level of natural radiation in these areas is
up to two orders of magnitude higher than other places. Areas such as Yangjiang, China;
Guarapari, Brazil; and Kerala, India are among the areas with high levels of natural
radiation. Ramsar a coastal city in North Iran has some inhabited areas with the highest
known levels of background radiation around the world. People who live in high
background radiation areas (HBRAs) such as Ramsar do not record any detrimental
biological effects. While some cytogenetic studies conducted in HBRAs have shown
increased frequencies of unstable chromosome aberration, other investigations failed
to find a significant difference. This short review is an attempt to verify if induction of
chromosomal anomalies in the lymphocytes of the residents of high background radiation
areas is associated with increased cancer risk.
Keywords :
Cancer Risk , Natural Radiation , High Background Radiation Areas , Human Lymphocytes
