Mutagenicity of vinyl chloride. External chromosome studies on persons with and without VC illness, and on VC exposed animals.

Chromosome analysis was undertaken on lymphocyte cultures taken from (1) six workers with estimated exposure to VC and four workers with monitored exposure to VC (employed in the BASF); (2) 20 workers showing symptoms of VC illness with unknown exposure and one angiosarcoma case, due to VC exposure (not employed in the BASF); and, (3) on bone marrow cells of Chinese hamsters after inhalation of 2,500 ppm or 5,000 ppm, or after intraperitoneal injections of 300 mg/kg or 600 mg/kg. The proband groups showing symptoms of VC illness, the only living angiosarcoma case, and the animal test show a significant increase in the rate of aberrations in comparison to the control group.