Increased sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies in lymphocytes from traffic policemen exposed to automobile exhaust pollution

Abstract

Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies were deter mined in peripheral lymphocytes from traffic policemen drawn from various busy traffic points of Madras metro in India. These policemen were under constant exposure to automobile exhaust pollution during their 8 h work schedule. Analysis of SCE frequencies revealed a sig nificantly greater number of SCE/cell in these policemen as against the matched control population. Sixty percent of these subjects who remained in the service after 5 years showed insignificant but higher values of SCE than in the initial analysis.