CHROMOSOME BREAKAGE AND SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGE ANALYSIS IN COMPUTER OPERATORS

Chromosome breakage analysis with Mitomycin C (MMC) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) were obtained on 10 computer operators with computer exposure for a minimum of 3 hours per day for 4 years and 10 control subjects matched for age and personal lifestyle. No difference was found between the two groups in the total number of chromatid and chromosome aberrations in cells grown at 48 and/or 96 hours in Mitomycin C (20 or 50 ng/ml-final concentration). The average number of SCE per cell in approximately 30 cells from each person was 6.4 ± 1.1 (mean ± standard deviation) for the computer operators and 9.2 ± 1.6 for the controls. This difference was significant (p <.001). The replicative index was significantly higher (p<.01) in computer operators than in control subjects. The number of SCE appeared not to be influenced by the years of computer exposure. Additional studies with larger sample sizes will be needed to identify if significant differences exist in cell kinetics and sister chromatid exchanges in individuals employed as computer operators.