Frequencies of unstable chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of Chernobyl emergency accident workers.

On the basis of the investigation of unstable chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of Chernobyl accident emergency workers, of residents of the contaminated areas, of patients with blood diseases and of donor's blood irradiated in vitro it is stated that presence of unstable chromosome aberrations such as dicentrics in lymphocytes of emergency workers and residents indicates that they have been overexposed. However, in the absence of the described aberrations in individuals involved in emergency work or in residents years after accident it is impossible to reject the overexposure.