Re-evaluation of the effect of spray adhesives on human chromosomes

The possible effects of spray adhesives on human chromosomes were re-examined in several ways by three different laboratories. A total of 3,382 metaphases were analyzed in a blind-coded fashion. The proportion of abnormal cells, including gaps, was similar in both the control (8.2%) and exposed (8.3%) samples. Our findings do not confirm the original investigation in which the proportion of abnormal cells was found to be significantly higher in the exposed group (8.99%) than in the control group (1.65%). In the earlier study, however, blind-coded slides were not employed. These and other studies show no positive evidence of an effect of spray adhesives on human chromosomes.