Cytogenetic monitoring of cardiology unit hospital workers exposed to Doppler ultrasound

We studied the effects of ultrasound on the peripheral blood lymphocytes of medical personnel from a cardiology unit working with colour Doppler ultra sonic equipment, Cytogenetic risks from ultrasound exposure were assessed b y analysis of chromosome aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), stu dy of cell-cycle kinetics and micronucleus assay, We found significant incr eases (P < 0.001) in the total number of chromosome aberrations, mainly due to chromatid breaks and acentric fragments, increases in the total number of micronuclei and SCE and disturbances in cell-cycle kinetics in the expos ed group compared to the control, In spite of their limitations, the result s of the present investigation indicate that individuals occupationally exp osed to ultrasound may experience an increased genotoxic risk and strongly emphasize the need for more research into the nature and extent of the biol ogical consequences to medical personnel working with Doppler ultrasound. C opyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.