OBJECTIVETo evaluate their genotoxic risk in nurses occupationally exposed to antineoplastic drugs with chromosomal aberration test and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) test.

METHODSSixteen nurses in the exposure group were selected from the oncology department of the same hospital, with an average length of exposure of 5.5 years and daily making 8.25 chemotherapeutic preparations in average. The controls were students from a nursing school. Peripheral blood from both groups was cultured at 37 degrees C for 48 h and 72 h, respectively, and then slides were prepared for conventional chromosomal aberration test and CBMN test. One hundred blood cells in metaphase and 1 000 binuclear lymphocytes in each sample were observed under microscope.

RESULTSThe results showed that the mean chromosomal aberration rate in the exposure group was (6.38 +/- 3.30)%, significantly higher than that in the controls (1.25 +/- 0.93)% (P < 0.01). And, the mean micronucleated cell rate in the exposure group was (15.06 +/- 5.30) per thousand, very significantly higher than that in the controls (4.56 +/- 1.67) per thousand (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe investigation indicated that chromosome damage rate in the nurses from oncology department was higher than that in the controls, which may be related to their occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs.