A study of the hands of radiologists

A group of radiologists were studied for evidences of radiation damage to the skin of their hands. The technics used were the same as those used for routine hand studies of Argonne National Laboratory personnel and consist of examination of wax impressions of the finger ridges and examination of photographs of the vessels and Papillae in the nail fold. Of the 323 radiologists examined by the first method 48% were found to have ridge abnormalities. The incidence of abnormality increased with years of exposure to radiation up to 100% after 35 years. The irregular use of lead gloves does not give adequate protection against damage of the ridges by radiations. Photographs of the nail fold of 152 radiologists were studied and compared to similar photographs of 101 laboratory workers and of 41 persons over 63 years of age. Some of the abnormalities occurred in all 3 groups. All of the changes which were found among the radiologists were found also in the aged. The incidence of abnormality among the radiologists increased with years of exposure to radiation and exceeded the incidence of abnormality in the aged. No radiologist had normal findings after 30 years of exposure. It is concluded that abnormalities of the vessels and of the papillae in the nail fold are induced earlier in radiologists than in persons not exposed to radiation