GENOTOXIC EFFECT OF FORMALDEHYDE IN SOMAT IC HUMAN-CELLS IN-VIVO

The genotoxic effect of formaldehyde (F) (chromosome aberrations in pe ripheral blood lymphocytes, micronucleated cells in buccal mucosa) was studied in workers manufacturing nitrogen fertilizer and exposed to F at concentrations exceeding maximum permissible ones for a working ar ea (group 1); in workers at the Department of Normal Anatomy who handl e moist anatomical preparations (group 2); and in students who attende d anatomy lessons once (group 3), A pronounced F cytotoxic effect was found in groups 1 and 2. In lymphocytes obtained from individuals of g roup 1, in which frequency of chromosome aberrations exceeded the cont rol level fourfold, metaphase plates were revealed only after 72 h of cultivation. A similar reduction of the statmokinetic index and an inc rease in chromosomal aberrations were observed after in vitro F treatm ent of lymphocytes. In groups 2 and 3, a four- to fivefold excess of m icronucleated cells was found in buccal mucosa. In students, the numbe r of micronucleated cells remained higher both 24 and 48 h after they handled moist formaline preparations in anatomy class for 40 min.