Effect of environmental factors on induced chromosomal aberrations in newborns.

Repeated blood collection was performed in newborns living in 3 distinct areas of the country with different levels of chemical pollution in the environment. Both the classical and SCE techniques were used in parallel. Blood samples from mothers and 1-year-old infants in the same area were also analysed to compare age-dependent sensitivity to mutagens. Cells with classical aberrations increased significantly according to higher chemical pollution, the levels of SCEs were not significantly changed. No age-dependent difference in sensitivity to chemical mutagens was found.