Chromosomal Damage at Low-Level Radiation Exposure

Mihaela Noditi, Laszlo Toro

Department of Radiation Hygiene, Institute of Public Health “Prof. Dr. Leonida Georgescu” Timisoara, Romania

Corresponding author: Mihaela Noditi
    Department of Radiation Hygiene,
    Institute of Public Health “Prof. Dr. Leonida Georgescu” Timisoara
    Bd. Dr. V. Babes 16-18
    RO-1900 Timisoara
    Romania
    Telephone: (+40) 56 192 106
    Fax number: (+40) 56 192 101
    E-mail: tlaszlo@mail.dnttm.ro

CEJOEM 2000, Vol.6. No.2-3.:166-170

Key words:
Occupational exposure, low level exposure, chromatid aberrations, dicentrics, acentrics

Abstract:
Collection of data concerning levels of chromosomal damage rates in persons occupationally exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation provide valuable information on effects at these critical levels. Blood samples were collected from 100 controls and 39 persons occupationally exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation. At least 500 metaphases were analyzed from each individual and chromatide and chromosomal aberrations were observed and reported. A higher frequency of chromosomal aberrations was noticed in the exposed group. Dicentrics and especially acentrics were responsible for the total increase of chromosomal aberrations. Although a slow increasing tendency was observed in the accumulation of dicentrics per group of age, their increase was not related strictly to the age of subjects or duration of employment. An increase with the age group of dicentric frequency has been observed in the controls (either the frequency or the slope of the increase). The intercepts in both cases show close values, which suggest a value of the spontaneous frequency of dicentrics at the order of 1 in 104 cells. The higher value of acentrics was correlated with the age of subjects (a higher slope compared to the dicentrics), and it was significantly higher (frequency and slope) in the exposed individuals.

Received: 31 July 2000
Accepted: 24 October 2000

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