Chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes of residents living in buildings constructed with radioactively contaminated rebars

Using the G-banding technique, we examined lymphocytes from 90 individuals (43 males and 47 females, median age 31 years) living in buildings construc ted with radioactively contaminated rebars. Forty-five nonexposed control s ubjects (22 males and 23 females, median age 30 years), matched to the radi ation-exposed individuals by sex and age, were selected for comparison. At least 500 metaphases were checked for each individual. All recognizable str uctural aberrations of chromosomes or chromatids were recorded. After adjus ting for age and smoking status, both the percentage of cells with aberrant chromosomes (PCAC) and the number of aberrant chromosomes per 100 cells (N AC) were found to be significantly higher in the radiation-exposed females than in the control females (p < 0.05 for PCAC and NAC). This difference, h owever, was not observed in the comparison of radiation-exposed and control males. This suggests a possible interaction between sex and radiation expo sure in their effects on chromosome aberrations. Copyright (C) 2001 Nationa l Science Council, ROC and S. Karger AG, Basel.