SISTER-CHROMATID EXCHANGES AFTER EXPOSURE TO METAL-CONTAINING EMISSIONS

The effect of in vivo feeding of metal-containing emissions from an al uminum refining plant upon the induction of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and mitotic delay was investigated in cultured sheep lymphocyt es. The experimental animals were given a daily dose of industrial emi ssions (mostly aluminum and fluoride) of either 0.75 g or 1.5 g/animal , for 1 year. The experiments were aimed at induction of chronic fluor osis under clinical conditions. A significant increase in mean serum f luoride, aluminum, arsenic and cadmium levels between both experimenta l groups and control was observed from 5 and 7 months on, respectively . The occurrence of SCEs in the experimental groups was higher (reachi ng statistical significance at a dose of 1.5 g/animal) than that seen in the controls. The emission was found to reduce the proliferation in dex. A significant heterogeneity of the first, second and third metaph ases as compared to the controls was also observed.