Cytogenetical studies on a large control population and on persons occupationally exposed to radiation and/or to chemicals.

Nowadays all people are exposed to mutagens environmentally, occupationally, therapeutically or due to life style. In order to validate any conclusions concerning a possible effect of some kind of these mutagens to the relevant exposed groups, chromosomal analysis was carried out on a standard population (211 persons) distributed randomly from biological and social points of view and on 163 persons, occupationally exposed to different kinds of mutagens. Analysis proved that the mean frequency of chromosomal aberrations (CA) of control was 0.81% and it was similar before and following the Chernobyl events. Data concerning the CA frequency in people exposed occupationally to low doses of ionizing radiations below the internationally accepted permissible level, showed a 2-6-fold increase of aberrant cells. Occupational exposure to chemical mutagens such as vinyl-chloride and organic solvents like benzene and toluene revealed 2-4 times higher frequency of CAs than the control; however, exposures to organophosphorus insecticides reached a 5-6-fold increase in CAs as well. The sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency data were in each exposed group higher than the control values. Neither chromosomal aberration frequencies, nor sister chromatid exchanges differed significantly between smokers and non smokers in control and exposed persons.