Chromosome aberrations and micronuclei in bone marrow cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes in humans exposed to ethylene oxide

Abstract

Twenty-eight individuals occupationally exposed to ethylene oxide have been compared with 20 controls regarding cytogenetic effects in peripheral blood lymphocytes and in bone marrow cells. The exposure levels of ethylene oxide were estimated and none of the individuals had, during the last 2.5 years, been exposed to workroom air concentrations exceeding 1 ppm. The exposed persons showed significantly increased levels of chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes (about 50% increase of mean) and of micronuclei in erythroblasts and polychromatic erythrocytes (about 100% and 300% increase of mean, respectively) when compared with controls. However, sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei in lymphocytes did not show any significant effect of exposure. A significant effect of smoking on micronuclei in erythroblasts and lymphocytes was found. There were several statistically significant, positive correlation coefficients among the different cytogenetic parameters.