Clastogenic factors (CFs), as they were described previously in accide
ntally or therapeutically irradiated persons, in A-bomb survivors and
in liquidators of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, were also detecte
d in the plasma of Chernobyl-exposed children. A high percentage of pl
asma ultrafiltrates from 170 children, immigrated to Israel in 1990, e
xerted clastogenic effects in test cultures set up with blood from hea
lthy donors. The differences were highly significant in comparison to
children immigrated from 'clean' cities of the former Soviet Union or
children born in Israel. The percentage of CF-positive children and th
e mean values of the adjusted clastogenic scores (ACS) were higher for
those coming from Gomel and Mozyr, which are high exposure sites (IAE
A measurements), compared to those coming from Kiev. There was no corr
elation between residual 137-Caesium body burden and presence of CFs.
However, both measurements were not done at the same time (in 1990 and
1992-1994, respectively). Also no relationship could be revealed betw
een enlargement of the thyroid gland and CF-positivity. CFs are not on
ly observed after irradiation, but in a variety of chronic inflammator
y diseases with autoimmune reactions. They were also described in the
congenital breakage syndromes, which are hereditary diseases with the
highest cancer incidence in humans. Whether the clastogenic effects co
ntinuously produced by circulating CFs represent a risk factor for mal
ignant late effects deserves further study and follow-up. Since CF for
mation and CF action are mediated by superoxide radicals, prophylactic
treatment with antioxidants may be suggested for Chernobyl-exposed ch
ildren, whose plasma induces a strongly positive CF-test.