No increase in chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes from workers exposed to nitrogen fertilisers.

The putative genetic risk of people occupationally exposed to nitrogen fertilisers was studied using the structural chromosome aberration assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The exposed group included 23 subjects working at complex and mixed fertiliser plants. The percent of aberrant cells (Ab.C %) and break to cell ratio (B/C) were 0.95% and 0.01 respectively. The matched control group (20 subjects) was found to have 0.80% Ab.C and a B/C ratio of 0.0085. The results show a lack of detectable genetic damage in exposed people using this cytogenetic approach.