Chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes of peripheral blood of patients with chronic radiation sickness in 25-30 years after termination of contact with radiation factor

Cytogenetic study of 273 patients with chronic radiation sickness caused mainly by total external radiation in 25-30 years after termination of occupational contact with radiation factor was carried out. Structural damages of chromosomal type were detected in 81.7% of cases, rate of the damages considerably exceeded the baseline level of spontaneous aberrations. At the level of integrated doses from gamma-radiation of 100-600 rad (1.0-6.0 Gy) relationship between dose and the rate of chromosomal aberrations was not found. Chromosomal changes for 10-12 years of follow-up were dynamically estimated in 97 individuals. Increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations (mainly of stable type) was detected in patients with chronic radiation sickness who were "carriers" of 239Pu.