Radiation-induced chromosome aberrations in nuclear-dockyard workers

Abstract

The incidence of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 197 dockyard workers was followed over 10 yr. These workers were exposed to mixed neutron-.gamma. radiation during the refuelling of nuclear reactors, but most exposures were below the internationally accepted maximum permissible level of 5 rem/yr. There was a significant increase in chromosome damage with increasing exposure; aberration frequency was a linear function of dose and was influenced by age and time of blood sampling after exposure.