Changes in leukocytes caused by tritium contamination.

Tritium is a radionuclide uniformly absorbed by the body. The purpose of cytomorphological and cytochemical leukocytes examination in tritium-affected workers was early detection of initial health disorder caused by tritium contamination. Cytoplasm and nuclear morphological changes were analyzed by colored blood smear microscopy. The enzyme activity (APL, MPO) in granulocytes was examined by cytochemical methods. Morphological changes were found in 47.17% of the subjects (N = 53) and in 2% (N = 52) of the controls. Chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes were found in 49.05% of the exposed workers and in 2% of the controls. The granulocytes enzyme activities were significantly diminished in the exposed workers (p < or = 0.001). The average level of beta radiation found in the urine of those affected by tritium was 3.46 kBq L(-1), while it was significantly lower in the others: 0.35 kBq L(-1). The enzyme activity decreases after 5 y of tritium exposure. Nuclear and cytoplasm changes as well as lowered enzyme activity in granulocytes were found in tritium-contaminated workers. Interdependence of cytomorphological and cytochemical changes was established. There was no correlation between cytochemical changes and granulocytes count.