Chromosomal aberrations in uranium and coal miners.
OBJECTIVE
To compare chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes of Wismut uranium miners (WUM) and Ruhr coal miners (RCM).


METHODS
Peripheral lymphocytes from 66 WUM and 29 RCM were cultured and analysed for structural chromosomal aberrations in Giemsa-stained M1 metaphases. Cytogenetic data from 23 male white-collar workers from public services were used as a historical control group.


RESULTS
The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in WUM and RCM were quite similar. Compared with public services workers, WUM and RCM had significantly higher frequencies of chromosomal aberrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Chromosomal aberrations in WUM are not induced by radioactive particles inhaled during underground mining but as in RCM rather result from factors such as age, lifestyle, illnesses, medications and diagnostic irradiations.
Wolf
G
G
Berufsgenossenschaftliche Klinik für Berufskrankheiten Falkenstein, Lauterbacher Strasse 16, D-08223 Falkenstein, Germany. bwg2003@t-online.de
Arndt
D
D
Kotschy-Lang
N
N
Obe
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002842:Chromatids / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003032:Coal Mining; D003582:Cytogenetics; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008677:Metaphase / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange; D012907:Smoking; D013997:Time Factors; D014501:Uranium
D014501:Uranium