[Chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes in workers occupationally exposed to styrene]

We performed the investigation of the number of chromosomal aberrations in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 13 women--workers occupationally exposed to styrene. Our set consisted exclusively of women in the age span from 23 to 54 years. Nine of the workers were smokers, 4 of them did not smoke. The control group was represented by 6 women working in the offices of the same factory. The clinical investigation of both the groups of women was performed at the Clinic of occupational diseases. The common physical check-up was combined with the hematological and biochemical tests including the assessment of the mandelinic acid level in the urine. Also the styrene concentration in the working place was measured by the help of the Regional hygiene center. The average working day's concentration of styrene was found to be 225 +/- 89 mg.m-3 ranging from 83 to 366 mg.m-3. From hte total number of 1220 cytogenetically investigated cells in the group of higher risk in 31 of them (2.54% AB.C.) the chromosomal aberration were found. In 27 cases (2.21%) the structural aberrations were involved; mostly the chromatid breaks and four times the chromosomal breaks were present. Four cells were laden by the numeric aberrations (type of 4n). Moreover, there was also checked the number of gaps (total of 9 gaps; 6 of chromatid, 3 chromosomal ones) and the number of satellite association of chromosomes (total of 87). The number of chromosomal aberrations in the exposed group is statistically significantly higher when compared with the control group (1.17% of AB.C.). Due to the restricted volume of the set our results cannot be taken as a confirmation of the relevant factory to be a working place with the higher exposition to genotoxic agents. Nevertheless, concerning the upper limit of spontaneous aberrations in the unladen population reaching maximally 2% we must consider our results to witness the increased occupational hazard.