Chromosome damage in peripheral lymphocytes from American thorium workers. 1983

S F Hoegerman, and H T Cummins

An analysis of the frequency of chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes from 47 thorium workers and three external controls is presented. Thirty-seven of these cases were divided into three age-matched groups based upon the means of the sums of their emanating radium-224 and bismuth-212 (Ra + Bi) burdens. The low burden group (mean Ra + Bi burden = -0.06 +/- 0.03 nCi) had two two-break chromosome aberrations in 1200 cells, the moderate burden group (mean Ra + Bi burden = 0.21 +/- 0.03 nCi) had three such aberrations in 1000 cells and the high burden group (mean Ra + Bi burden = 0.99 +/- 0.21 nCi) had five such aberrations in 1500 cells. While there is a two-fold increase in the two-break aberration frequency in pooled data from the two higher exposure groups (8/2500 cells) as compared with the lowest exposure group (2/1200 cells), the difference between these subsamples is not statistically significant (p = 0.32). The frequency of dicentrics and centric ring chromosomes (8/3300 cells) in the pooled higher body burden groups from the total sample (mean Ra + Bi burden = 0.56 +/- 0.09 nCi) does however show a very highly significant increase over the historical control frequency. A similar analysis based on total months of employment in the thorium-processing industry did not show a positive relationship between duration of employment and aberration frequency. In broad outline, our results are compatible with those from similar studies on Brazilian thorium workers and Thorotrast patients.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008214 Lymphocytes White blood cells formed in the body's lymphoid tissue. The nucleus is round or ovoid with coarse, irregularly clumped chromatin while the cytoplasm is typically pale blue with azurophilic (if any) granules. Most lymphocytes can be classified as either T or B (with subpopulations of each), or NATURAL KILLER CELLS. Lymphoid Cells,Cell, Lymphoid,Cells, Lymphoid,Lymphocyte,Lymphoid Cell
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009784 Occupational Diseases Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment. Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D001822 Body Burden The total amount of a chemical, metal or radioactive substance present at any time after absorption in the body of man or animal. Body Burdens,Burden, Body,Burdens, Body
D002869 Chromosome Aberrations Abnormal number or structure of chromosomes. Chromosome aberrations may result in CHROMOSOME DISORDERS. Autosome Abnormalities,Cytogenetic Aberrations,Abnormalities, Autosome,Abnormalities, Chromosomal,Abnormalities, Chromosome,Chromosomal Aberrations,Chromosome Abnormalities,Cytogenetic Abnormalities,Aberration, Chromosomal,Aberration, Chromosome,Aberration, Cytogenetic,Aberrations, Chromosomal,Aberrations, Chromosome,Aberrations, Cytogenetic,Abnormalities, Cytogenetic,Abnormality, Autosome,Abnormality, Chromosomal,Abnormality, Chromosome,Abnormality, Cytogenetic,Autosome Abnormality,Chromosomal Aberration,Chromosomal Abnormalities,Chromosomal Abnormality,Chromosome Aberration,Chromosome Abnormality,Cytogenetic Aberration,Cytogenetic Abnormality
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D013910 Thorium A radioactive element of the actinide series of metals. It has an atomic symbol Th, atomic number 90, and atomic weight 232.04. It is used as fuel in nuclear reactors to produce fissionable uranium isotopes. Because of its radioopacity, various thorium compounds are used to facilitate visualization in roentgenography.
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor

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