Cytogenetic analysis of Chernobyl cleanup workers

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis

OSTI ID:530870

Tucker, J D; Nelson, D O; Ramsey, M R ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States); and others

Biodosimetric analyses were performed of workers involved in clean-up operations following the Chernobyl accident. Blood samples were collected from 188 exposed workers who participated in the cleanup and from 69 subjects living in Russia but not involved in the cleanup activities. The samples were collected between September 1991 and May 1996 and shipped to Livermore for cytogenetic evaluation. Chromosome 1, 2, and 4 were painted simultaneously with whole-chromosome DNA probes, at at least 1500 metaphase cells (500 cell equivalents) were analyzed for structural aberrations from each subject. The PAINT system was used for the initial classification of all aberrations. Translocations were subsequently evaluated to determine whether they were reciprocal or non-reciprocal, and then enumerated according to the classical method which assumes all translocations are reciprocal. Univariate statistical analyses (including adjustments for age and smoking status) found greater frequencies of chromosome translocations among the exposed compared to controls (p{le}0.0001), regardless of the method of enumerating translocations. The difference in translocation frequencies between clean-up and control subjects was explainable by invoking an average population exposure to 12 {+-} 3 cGy. This estimate was based on an in vitro dose response curve with {sup 137}Cs exposure to human blood, and was obtained in our laboratory with the same painting probes. Differences between clean-up workers and controls were seen for dicentrics and for total acentric fragments. Smoking was also associated with increased translocation frequencies. These results show the feasibility of performing retrospective biodosimetry by painting following low doses of ionizing radiation.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 530870
• Report Number(s): CONF-9704100--
• Journal Information: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, Journal Name: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis Journal Issue: Suppl.28 Vol. 29; ISSN 0893-6692; ISSN EMMUEG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
CHERNOBYLSK-4 REACTOR
CHROMOSOMES
EVALUATION
PERSONNEL
RADIATION ACCIDENTS
REMEDIAL ACTION