Chromosome changes in lymphocytes after occupational exposure to pentachlorophenol (PCP).

Chromosome analyses were carried out on peripheral lymphocytes from 22 male workers employed at a pentachlorophenol (PCP) producing factory. As compared with a group of 22 matched controls a small, but significant, increase in the frequency of dicentrics and acentrics was observed. There was no significant increase of sister-chromatid exchange (SCEs) in smoking PCP workers, as compared with smoking controls. Within the control group, smokers had a higher incidence of SCEs than non-smokers.