Detection of cytogenetic effects in peripheral lymphocytes of students exposed to formaldehyde with cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay.
Cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay was applied as a biological dosimeter to detect abnormalities in human peripheral lymphocytes of thirteen students exposed to formaldehyde (FA) during a 12-week (10 h per week) anatomy class. Breathing-zone air samples collected during dissection procedures showed a mean concentration of 2.37 ppm (3.17 mg/m3). Ten students from the same school but without FA exposure served as controls. Chromosome aberrations (CA) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) were detected in both groups. The micronuclei (MN) rate (6.38 +/- 2.50 /1000) and CA rate (5.92 +/- 2.40%) in the FA-exposed group showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) when compared with those of the controls (3.15 +/- 1.46 /1000 and 3.40 +/- 1.57% respectively). A correlation between MN and CA in individuals was observed. SCE in the exposed group were also increased (P < 0.05), but not so greatly as MN or CA. The results indicated that FA might damage the chromosomes of human lymphocytes.
He
J L
JL
School of Public Health, Zhejiang Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
Jin
L F
LF
Jin
H Y
HY
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange; D013337:Students, Medical; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D005557:Formaldehyde