Analysis of Chromosomal Aberrations, Micronuclei, and Sister Chromatid Exchanges in Lymphocytes of Workers of a Phosphate Fertilizer Factory

Mehdi Ghiassi-Nejad1,2, Roshan Varzegar1, Farideh Zakeri1, and Siamak Rasouli-Nejad1

1 Radiobiology Group, National Radiation Protection Department, Iranian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Biophysics, University of Tarbiat Modarres, Tehran, Iran

Corresponding author: Roshan Varzegar
    Head of Radiobiology Group
    National Radiation Protection Department
    Atomic Energy Organization of Tehran
    End of North Karegar Street
    P.O.Box 14155-4494
    Tehran, Iran
    Fax number: 98 21 8009502
    E-mail address: rvarzegar@seai.neda.net.ir

Key words:
Chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei, lymphocyte, sister chromatid exchange, radioactive material, chemical pollutants

CEJOEM 2002, Vol.8. No.4.: 277–282

Abstract:
The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations (CA), micronuclei (MN) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 15 workers of phosphate fertilizer factory at an Iranian petrochemical complex, were studied. It has been found that the chemical agents and radioactive materials caused an increase of cytogenetic aberrations in all 3 cytogenetic parameters mentioned above. The exposed individuals showed higher frequencies of dicentrics as well as acentrics than the normal controls. The mean frequencies of CAs per 100 metaphases of workers and non-exposed controls were 5.06 and 1.52, respectively; the difference was statistically significant. The mean frequencies micronucleated cells per 1000 binucleted lymphocytes of workers and controls were 47 ± 8 and 12 ± 5, respectively, the difference between them was statistically significant. The results of sister chromatid exchanges showed that the mean number of exchanges per 100 cells in workers and controls were 4.6 ± 2.8 and 2.80 ± 0.37, respectively, with a statistically significant difference. These results indicated clastogenic and genotoxic effects of chemical agents and radioactive materials.

Received:  1 January 2003
Accepted:  27 May 2003
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