Abstract

The author studied the frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges of cultured peripheral Iymphocytes from 51 chromium exposed workers and 29 controls in order to examine the inductivity of sister chromatid exchanges of cultured peripheral lymphocytes of chromium exposed workers, from June 1989 to March 1990. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Mean frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges of cultured peripheral lymphocytes were 9.33+/-2.57 from chromium exposed workers and 7.59+/-0.81 from control, respectively, and the former was significantly higher than the latter (p<0.01) . 2. The frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges of cultured peripheral lymphocytes by duration of employment from chromium exposed workers was increased in proportion to that, but there was no statistical significance. 3. The frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges of cultured peripheral lymphocytes by chromium concentration in blood and urine of chromium exposed workers were not significantly increased. 4. The frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges of cultured peripheral lymphocytes by levels of alcohol consumption in chromium exposed workers was inclined to increase in proportion to that. 5. The frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges of cultured peripheral lymphocytes by number of cigarettes smoked was significantly increased in proportion to that in both chromium exposed workers and controls (p<0.05) . 6. In drinkers of chromium exposed workers, the frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges of cultured peripheral lymphocytes in smokers was higher than non-smokers, but there was no statistical significance.

• Keywords: Sister chromatid exchange;Chromium;Painters