Induction of cytogenetic effects in human fibroblast cultures after exposure to formaldehyde or X-rays

Cytogenetic changes induced by formaldehyde (FA) in exponentially growing human fibroblasts were compared with those produced by X-rays. Chromosome aberrations of different types were detected. Exposure to 2 mM FA for 15 min resulted, quantitatively and qualitatively, in effects comparable to those produced by an X-ray dose of 100 rad. X-Rays at higher exposures produced types of chromosome aberrations that differed from those induced by higher exposures to FA.