CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS IN LYMPHOCYTES OF RESIDENTS LIVING IN BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED WITH RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED REBARS

Using the G-banding technique, we examined lymphocytes from
90 individuals (43 males and 47 females, median age 31 years
) living in buildings constructed with radioactively
contaminated rebars. Forty-five nonexposed control subjects(
22 males and 23 females, median age 30 years), matched to
the radiation-exposed individuals by sex and age, were
selected for comparison. At least 500 metaphases were
checked for each individual. All recognizable structural
aberrations of chromosomes or chromatids were recorded.
After adjusting for age and smoking status, both the
percentage of cells with aberrant chromosomes (PCAC) and the
number of aberrant chromosomes per 100 cells (NAC) were
found to be significantly higher in the radiation-exposed
females than in the control females (p < 0.05 for PCAC and
NAC). This difference, however, was not observed in the
comparison of radiation-exposed and control males. This
suggests a possible interaction between sex and radiation
exposure in their effects on chromosome aberrations.
Copyright (C) 2001 National Science Council, ROC and S.
Karger AG, Basel.