GENOTOXIC ALTERATIONS IN THE PERSONNEL OF CHEMICAL STOCKPILE DISPOSAL FACILITIES

Abstract

Genotoxic effect of ultra-low doses of toxic chemicals may cause delayed health effects. For their assessment, chromosomal aberrations (CA) in 138 persons from among the staff of chemical weapons storage and destruction facilities( objects) were analyzed. The control group consisted of 55 people. A statistically significant increase in levels of CA ( 5.10 ± 0.29 vs. 1.67 ± 0.21; U = 1471; p = 0.0001) was shown, mainly due to chromatid -type CA -single pieces (3.98 ± 0.25 versus 1.20 ± 0.16, U = 1503; p = 0.0001) and chromatid exchanges, (0.12 ± 0.03 vs. 0,00 + 0.03, U = 3248; p = 0,002 ), which is typical to chemical mutagenesis. A statistically significant increase in the level of unstable exchanges of chromosomal-type aberrations (0.17 ± 0.03 vs. 0.03 ± 0.02; U = 3190 p = 0.003) was also observed, possibly due to the synergistic action of toxicants and physical factors. An average number of CA per cell was significantly higher than the control values (1.09 ± 0.02 vs. 1.00 ± 0.00; U = 2733; p = 0.0001). Statistically significant differences in the distribution of individuals with different levels of CA among employees of the objects and in the control group were shown. Data obtained suggest a pronounced genotoxic effect and the possibility of using CA analysis to assess individual professional risk to the staff of the objects.