[The results of 14-year cytogenetic monitoring of priority follow-up groups of Chernobyl accident victims].

The paper presents the results of 14-year (1987-2000) random cytogenetic monitoring of the Ukraine's population exposed to radiation due to the Chernobyl Atomic Power Plant accident. Conventional, G-banding, and molecular (FISH-WCP) cytogenetic methods were used to examine groups of victims exposed to radiation of varying intensity (reconvalescents diagnosed as having acute radiation disease, liquidators, Chernobyl power plant staff, and persons who had lived in the radionuclide-polluted areas, etc.). The examinees from all groups were found to have a considerable increase in the incidence of chromosomal aberrations in the peripheral lymphocytes as compared to their spontaneous levels. There was an interindividual variability in the chromosomal aberrations under identical radiation conditions. It was ascertained that even small human doses of long-term ionizing radiation could induce specific chromosomal aberrations. The findings show that conventional cytogenetic monitoring, and particularly by applying FISH and WCP methods, is an good procedure for assessing the human cell genetic apparatuses after radiation.