The influence of cigarette smoking on sister chromatid exchange frequencies in peripheral lymphocytes among nurses handling cytostatic drugs.

Genotoxic compounds and various cancer chemotherapeutic agents can interact with tobacco smoke synergistically, especially among cigarette smoking nurses handling cytostatic drugs. The aim of the study was to examine the hypothesis that tobacco smoking has a greater influence on sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies among nurses than the influence of cytostatics in working conditions. The frequencies of SCE in lymphocytes investigated among hospital staff who handle anti-cancer drugs were higher than in a control group which did not handle them (smokers and non-smokers). The increase of SCE frequencies was observed more often among cigarette smoking nurses and less among non-smoking nurses who handle cytostatics 3 times a week.