Chromosomal aberrations in cultured human lymphocytes treated with aldicarb, a carbamate pesticide.

Aldicarb was tested for its ability to induce chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro, in the presence of an exogenous metabolic activation system. The pesticide induced an increase in the number of chromatid and chromosome breaks. The increase was higher in the presence of S9 mix. A positive linear association between frequencies of abnormal cells and dose of aldicarb was observed.