[The cytogenetic effects in persons who suffered as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station].

Frequency of chromosome aberration was evaluated in 537 persons taken part in amelioration after the accident. The highest rate of aberration was found in covering builders and dosimetric: 3.24 +/- 0.25 and 3.11 +/- 0.43 per 100 cells, respectively. The mean rate of aberrations among the Chernobyl NPP staff was 2.37 +/- 0.20 per 100 cells, in the other examined groups the mean yield of aberration varied from 1.31 to 1.47 per 100 cells. The found aberration rates correspond to the equivalent whole body doses in the range from 131 to 515 mGy as evaluated by the established dose-response curve. In the group of covering builders the individual aberration rates varied more markedly, and corresponded to the equivalent whole body dose up to about 1 Gy. Slides of 27 individuals were checked by an automated dicentric scoring system. The results showed a satisfactory correlation between the frequencies of dicentrics per chromosome detected by routine and computer methods.