ABSTRACT
The present study analyzes the frequency of chromosomal aberrations found in rodents living in a polluted area near the Rimac river (Casapalca, minery zone) at 120 Km of Lima, compared to that observed in a non-polluted area in the Department of Lima, Perú. The species analyzed were: Phyllotis andium, P. darwini and Akodon boliviensis. The rodents were captured alive and bone marrow was processed the same day of capture to obtain metaphases. The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the rodents of the exposed area (2.46 percent of cells) vs those of the control area (0.82 percent of cells). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that heavy metals and pesticides present in the Rimac river may increment the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in rodents living near that river