AN ASSESSMENT OF FREQUENCIES OF MICRONUCLEATED ERYTHROCYTES IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD OF PIGEONS (COLUMBA-LIVIA GM) LIVING IN THE POLLUTED RADIOACTIVE AREA AROUND THE SIBERIAN CHEMICAL-PLANT

We have examined approximately 15 000 pigeons living in the radioactiv e area polluted by releases of the Siberian Chemical Plant (SChP) as a result of an accident in April 1993. We have detected that almost all of the population of pigeons have a high frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes in their peripheral blood Moreover, we have found that pi geons living in the downwind cities and towns situated closest to the SChP, particularly in the northern districts of the city of Tomsk and in the closed-city of Tomsk-7 (Seversk), have a significantly high fre quency of micronucleated erythrocytes. The assessment of the situation in other Siberian cities has shown that frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes in pigeons living in Tomsk and Seversk are significantly higher than those in pigeons in the control cities. After the radiati on accident the highest frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes was detected after six months and it gradually decreased over three years but there has been no full normalization. However, full normalization in frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes in pigeons placed in a vivarium occurred within six months. We have found that frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes are significantly higher in female pigeon s than in males. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.