Chromosome and sister-chromatid exchange analysis in peripheral lymphocytes, and mutagenicity of urine in anesthesiology personnel.

Genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to anesthetic gases (halothane and nitrous oxide) were studied in 24 persons working at departments of anesthesiology and resuscitation (14 anesthesiologists and 10 anesthesiologic nurses). Frequencies of chromosomal aberrations were determined in 48-h cultures, and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in 72-h cultures of peripheral lymphocytes. In parallel, the mutagenetic potential of urine was tested using Ames tester Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 in both the presence and the absence of a metabolic activation system. The control group consisted of 30 healthy blood donors from the Clinic of Hematology and Blood Transfusion. Halothane concentrations in the working environment of operating rooms were determined using gas-liquid chromatography. Halothane exposure levels were far above the maximum allowable concentration in most countries, ranging between 9 and 490 mg.m-3. Cytogenetic analysis of peripheral lymphocytes revealed significantly increased frequencies of aberrant cells (ABCs) and SCEs in the exposed group as compared with the controls (3.84% vs 1.87% ABCs, 8.69 +/- 1.30 vs 7.86 +/- 1.07 SCEs per cell). Results of the urine mutagenicity test were negative.