[Chromosome damages in human lymphocytes as affected by formaldehyde. I. Formaldehyde treatment of lymphocytes in culture].

The cytogenetic activity of formaldehyde was studied in human lymphocytes in vitro. High concentrations of formaldehyde (0.01 mg/ml, 2.5, and 5 mg/l) inhibit mitotic activity of cells to induce polyploidy and chromosome aberrations with high frequency at G2-stage of mitotic cycle. In comparatively low concentrations formaldehyde does not inhibit cell proliferation, and induces chromosome aberrations at G1-S-stages, but not at G2-stage of mitotic cycle. Specific effect of formaldehyde on the distribution of damages pro genome and pro chromosome was also observed.