Exposure to ethylene oxide at work increases sister chromatid exchanges in human peripheral lymphocytes.

Sister chromatid exchange rates increased significantly in the peripheral lymphocytes of a small group of hospital workers exposed to ethylene oxide for as little as 3.6 minutes per day regularly over a period of months. Results based on breathing zone exposure and task frequency estimates over a 6-month period for 14 workers suggest that sister chromatid exchanges are a sensitive indicator of exposure and that cumulative dose and dose rate are important predictors of sister chromatid exchange response.