title: Evaluation of genetic alterations in inhabitants of a naturally high level background radiation and Kudankulam nuclear power project site in India.
abstract: Evaluation of genetic alterations in inhabitants of an area of Tamil Nadu, India, chronically exposed to high background radiation (HBRA), was the major purpose of the present study. A total of 216 samples (exposed inhabitants, 108; control subjects, 108) were selected based on the confirmation of radiation dose level using thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD). After signing a consent form, volunteers provided blood samples (5 ml each) to establish cell cultures at 52 h. One hundred complete metaphase cells from each subject were evaluated for karyotyping. The frequencies of chromosomal alterations (CA) were found to be higher in the exposed groups and the aberrations predominately observed were of chromatid-type. Smoking was found to have considerable effect on the frequency of CA in exposed subjects. With the comet assay for DNA damage, a significant increase in comet tail frequency was also observed in exposed subjects compared to controls. At present there are no radioepidemiological data regarding the cytogenetic studies in these areas. Furthermore, the Kudankulam nuclear power plant nuclear power plant is being constructed in the same area. The study gives potentially important information on the general health effects due to radiation exposure and increases people's understanding of the hazardous nature of chronic low level natural radiation exposure. However, we may conclude that the HBRA by itself does not pose any significant risk of genetic damage as measured by conventional cytogenetic analysis.
authors.affiliation: Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Vellingiri
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Balachandar
authors.forename: Ramesh Kumar Mithun
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Varsha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: Subramaniam Mohana
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.forename: Balasubramanian Lakshman
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Pappusamy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manikantan
authors.forename: Keshavarao
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sasikala
authors.forename: Jeyapandian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malathi
authors.forename: Muruganandam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brahmanandhan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Selvasekarapandian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001417:Background Radiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000528:radiation effects*; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000379:methods; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis / Q000379:methods; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007621:Karyotyping / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055848:Nuclear Power Plants; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D055815:Young Adult