Micronuclei in sputum from uranium workers: Epidemiologic application of an evolving cytogenetic technique

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5732651

Loomis, D P

The exfoliated-cell micronucleus assay is a relatively new cytogenetic technique which can provide a measure of the genetic effect of exposure to carcinogens and mutagens in target tissues where tumors arise among exposed populations. It is responsive to the effects of ionizing radiation and tobacco smoke in some in vivo human cell systems, but has not been extensively field tested as an indicator of lung cancer-related effects, despite the public health importance of exposure to occupational and environmental lung carcinogens. In this study the exfoliated-cell micronucleus assay was used to assess effects of exposure to radon progeny and cigarette smoke in a population of uranium industry workers (including employees in underground and open-pit mines, mills, laboratories, and administrative offices); underground uranium miners experience markedly elevated lung cancer risk because of exposure to ionizing radiation from radon progeny. Ninety-nine workers were selected at random from among workers in Colorado Plateau uranium-related facilities who participated in a workplace sputum cytology screening program from 1964-1988. The prevalence of cells with micronuclei was determined by a manual assay of one sputum specimen for each worker under a light microscope. Occupational and smoking data obtained by interview during screening were used to classify exposure and smoking status at the time the sputum specimen was taken and to obtain information on potential confounders and effect modifiers; underground miners were classified as exposed to radon progeny, and others were considered unexposed. Neither radon progeny exposure nor cigarette smoking had any appreciable effect on the prevalence of micronucleated cells. Crude prevalence ratios were 1.0 (95% CI 0.7-1.4) and 0.9 (95% CI 0.6-1.3), respectively, for radon exposure and smoking.

• Research Organization: North Carolina Univ., Chapel Hill, NC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5732651
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560161* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOLS
BIOASSAY
BODY
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL NUCLEI
COLLOIDS
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LUNGS
MINES
NEOPLASMS
NONMETALS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANS
PERSONNEL
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADON
RARE GASES
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SMOKES
SOLS
TOBACCO SMOKES
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
URANIUM MINES