NUCLEAR-POWER-INDUSTRY
RADIATION
CHROMOSOME-DAMAGE

CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS IN WORKERS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations (CA) in nuclear power facility workers were compared to those of nonexposed controls. The subjects were 135 male workers who had over 10 rem cumulative radiation exposure and 135 sex and age matched office workers. Data on duration and type of work, age, smoking, alcohol, coffee use, medication, and medical history were obtained. Worker records of nuclear power facilities provided data on the total cumulative radiation dose and annual radiation dose. Statistical analyses were used to compare CA frequencies between radiation workers and referents as well as possible associations between frequency of specific aberrations and age, smoking, exposure duration, and total cumulative dose. The exposed group showed significantly increased frequencies of all types of CA. A major correlation was seen between CA and total cumulative radiation dose and duration of work. When both exposed and unexposed workers were examined, a dose dependent increase in CA was observed, with recent exposure being more of an inducer of CA than cumulative exposure; no such dose dependent increase was seen when the exposed group was examined alone.

Mutation Research, 350(2):307-314, 1996. (16 references)

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