Chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in lymphocytes of workers at a phosphate fertilizer factory.

The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 40 workers at a phosphate fertilizer factory in North China, were studied. HF and SiF4 are the main air pollutants and small amounts of dust containing fluoride, NH3 and SO2 were also present in the factory. It was shown that the chemicals caused an increase in both CA and MN. The mean frequencies per 100 metaphase of major CA type (chromosome rings, translocations, and dicentrics) of the workers and the non-exposed controls were 0.91 and 0.24 (p < 0.01), respectively. The average percentages of lymphocytes with MN of the workers and the controls were 1.55 +/- 0.71 and 0.62 +/- 0.54 (p < 0.01), respectively. Both CA frequency and MN frequency of the workers increased with length of the chemical exposure period up to 10 years.