[Investigation of the effect of polluted water in Song-hua River on the chromosome aberrations and SCE of inhabitants].

This investigation indicated that the chromosome aberration of lymphocytes in inhabitants influenced by mercury- or methylmercury-polluted water was higher than that in control persons although the difference was not significant; but the SCE of them was significantly higher than the control. Both endpoints had a tendency of decreasing with the distance away from the polluted river water. Smoking and age did not have any effect. It was suggested that the polluted river water by mercury or methylmercury compounds could have some cytogenetic effects, although other factors cannot be excluded.