SISTER-CHROMATID EXCHANGES AND DNA-REPAIR SYNTHESIS IN WORKERS EXPOSED TO NICKEL COMPOUNDS

In workers from a nickel processing plant, residents of the surroundin g industrial zone, and a control group, levels of sister chromatid exc hanges (SCE, 33 individuals) and DNA repair synthesis (DRS, 79 individ uals) were estimated. Individual variations in SCE level did not corre late to the duration of exposure to nickel compounds or the level of p ollution. A statistically significant increase of SCE level among smok ers compared to nonsmokers was revealed. Workers exposed to nickel com pounds were demonstrated to have a statistically significant increase in the inhibition of DNA repair synthesis.