Comparison of chromosome aberration and micronucleus induction in human lymphocytes after occupational exposure to vinyl chloride monomer and microwave radiation.

Differences and similarities between the mutagenicity of microwave radiation and VCM were studied on the lymphocytes of persons occupationally exposed to either of these two clastogens. The results of the micronucleus test and the chromosome aberration assay were compared. Our findings provided evidence that the mutagenicity of both VCM and microwave radiation can be detected with both of these tests. However, we detected both quantitative and qualitative differences between VCM and microwave radiation in the induction of aberrations and micronuclei. VCM causes quantitatively more chromosome damage but less dicentric and ring chromosomes than microwave radiation. Anaphase bridges are constantly present in the cultured lymphocytes of VCM-exposed persons but they are rarely seen in the lymphocytes of persons exposed to microwave radiation. The number of micronuclei per a certain number of aberrations is much higher in persons exposed to VCM than in those exposed to microwave radiation. An attempt was made here to point out the main differences in the clastogenic action of a physical and a chemical agent. Such data can be fundamental for better understanding of the genetic effects which derive from mutal action of chemical and physical clastogens.