NUCLEAR-POWER-INDUSTRY
RADIATION
CHROMOSOME-DAMAGE

CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS AND ROGUE CELLS IN LYMPHOCYTES OF CHERNOBYL CLEAN-UP WORKERS

A study was performed on the genotoxic effects of radiation overexposure in Chernobyl clean up workers. Altogether, 183 male workers and 27 age and sex matched comparisons were included in the study. The exposed workers had spent an average of 1 to 6 months at the site and were permitted to receive up to 0.25 grays (Gy) of gamma radiation. Dose estimations for 107 clean up workers were obtained and ranged up to 0.36Gy. Demographic characteristics and medical histories were obtained by questionnaires. Whole blood samples were collected from all subjects for the isolation of peripheral blood lymphocytes, which underwent cytogenetic analysis. Chromosome aberrations (CAs) such as chromatid breaks, chromatid exchanges, chromosome breaks, and chromosome exchanges were scored. Additional genotoxic criteria included the presence of rogue cells and excess acentrics. Associations between CAs and other factors such as alcohol use and illness were determined. Radiation exposure, alcohol, and recent history of influenza were related to an increased frequency of CAs. There was a greater frequency of acentric fragments in the lymphocytes of clean up workers, though only about 20% of the workers showed an increased frequency of dicentric and ring chromosomes. Twenty eight workers and three comparisons showed greater frequency of rogue cells, which were correlated with respiratory disease and alcohol abuse. Factors for the presence of rogue cells were discussed. The authors conclude that chromosome damage due to radiation exposure is still present in Chernobyl clean up workers.

Mutation Research, 350(2):315-329, 1996. (57 references)

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