Aging and smoking increase the frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) in man.

The frequency of SCE was determined in lymphocytes of 88 healthy human subjects, not occupationally exposed to known genotoxic agents, who were uniformly distributed in several classes of age (from 16 to 70 years), including an equal number of smokers and non-smokers, and of males and females. Our results indicate that the frequency of SCE increases linearly with age and that smoking enhances the frequency of SCE independently of age and sex.

Cytogenetic damage in workers exposed to ethylene oxide.

Sister-chromatid exchanges (SECs) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) were detected in the peripheral lymphocytes of 41 sanitary workers exposed to ethylene oxide (EO) in the sterilizing units of 8 hospitals in the Venice Region. The first group (19 workers) was exposed to 10.7 +/- 4.

A cytogenetic study on workers exposed to low concentrations of benzene.

A cytogenetic study was performed on 22 healthy workers engaged in benzene production and exposed to low concentrations of benzene, ranging from 0.2 to 12.4 p.

Workers exposed to ethylene oxide have increased incidence of sister chromatid exchange.

We have determined the frequencies of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in 41 workers engaged in the sterilization of medical equipment. Each exposed subject was paired with a control matched for age, smoking habits and sex. The frequencies of SCE were markedly higher in the exposed than the control workers.

Increased incidence of chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in workers exposed to chromic acid (CrO3) in electroplating factories.

Chromosomal aberrations in cultured lymphocytes obtained from workers occupationally exposed to chromic acid (CrO3) were detected. Four separate groups of workers were examined, two of which were engaged in plating factories employing nickel in addition to chromium, and two coming from plating factories where only chromium was used. In the latter groups the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) were also detected in the cultured lymphocytes.