CYTOGENETIC STUDIES IN COKE-OVEN WORKERS

Chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, and sister chromatid exchanges (S CE) were evaluated in cultured lymphocytes of coke oven workers of an Italian steel industry plant, occupationally exposed to polycyclic aro matic hydrocarbons, and in a group of unexposed controls from a non-ov en plant in the same area. No differences were found between exposed a nd controls for rates of total abnormal metaphases (including and excl uding gaps), chromatid-type and chromosome-type aberrations, cells wit h 2 or more breaks, and for micronuclei. On the contrary, SCE were sig nificantly increased in the exposed versus the controls, but, when smo king habits were considered, the increase was significant only for smo kers.