Link found between radiation exposure and diabetes risk

By Pol Allingham via SWNS

A Fukushima-based study linked radiation with diabetes.

Japanese National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (JNIOS) studied emergency workers who responded to a radiation accident at the Fukushima power plant.

Explosions kicked off after a tsunami hit the plant in March 2011, releasing radioactive materials into the environment.

At least 6.5 percent of the participants developed diabetes, revealing 47 percent higher chance of developing the glucose disorder among those who experienced the greatest quantity of radiation.

Those who were exposed to 10-19 millisieverts, the equivalent of up to 190 chest x-rays, were 33 percent more likely to have diabetes.

Those who had an exposure of 20 to 49 mSv were 47 percent more likely, and the five to nine mSv category has a six percent rise.

No up in the risk was observed in 50 mSv or higher, but researchers put this down to the small sample size.

The JNOIS looked at 5,326 out of the 20,000 emergency workers at the plant.

Lead author Dr. Huan Hu, JNIOS, said: “Our findings suggest an increased risk of diabetes among nuclear emergency workers from low levels of radiation.

“While the potential mechanisms remain somewhat unclear, reports suggest that radiation can adversely affect pancreatic cells responsible for insulin production, potentially contributing to diabetes.

“Additionally, there is an association between radiation exposure and heightened inflammation, a well-known factor in insulin resistance and the development of diabetes.”

The team used a 2014 study, Epidemiological Study of Health Effects in Fukushima Emergency Workers (NEWS), that had been established to understand radiation’s long-term on emergency workers’ health.

Dr Hu continued: “Ongoing follow-up of NEWS participants will provide an even clearer picture of diabetes risk at low radiation doses.

“As more diabetes cases emerge within our study group, our expanded dataset will enable more robust analyses, allowing researchers to better assess the link between radiation exposure and diabetes risk.”

Between March and December 2011, emergency workers’ radiation exposure was measured using a pocket alarm dosimeter for external exposure, and a whole-body counter clocked internal exposure.

Regular health exams tested over 70 factors, including blood sugar, lipids, urine tests, inflammation biomarkers, thyroid function tests, and eye examinations.

The average age of participants in the current study was 46 years old.

In Europe, people face an average of 2.7 mSv of background radiation per year.

This is produced by natural radon gas in homes and cosmic rays from outer space.

Some Finland residents experience over seven mSv annually.

Single chest rays expose a patient to around 0.1 mSv of radiation, a single mammogram 0.4 mSv.

A CT scan of the spine would emit 10 mSv, and a PET scan 25 mSv.

The authors added to the study in Diabetologia: “Sincere thanks to the emergency workers who coped with the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant incident, both for their heroic efforts in minimizing risks and for their voluntary participation in the NEWS study, which contributes to our understanding of radiation's health effects and public safety.”