Chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes of the high-voltage power lineman exposed to electromagnetic fields

A lineman who worked in the power substation with exposure to 154 kV at 50 Hz and his wife were referred for chromosomal analysis because of her repeated miscarriages. The standard chromosomal analysis of peripheral lymphocytes, including quantitative and structural aberrations of chromosomes, was performed. The man's chromosomes had increased the rate of endoreduplication, chromatid gap and chromatid break, whereas his wife's chromosomes were normal. Exposure to a high-voltage power line was thought to be the cause of these aberrations: by proposing this finding, genetic counseling, in which the lineman was advised to leave the electromagnetic fields, was given to the family. The couple had a baby after this counseling

effect on sce in human chromosomes in vitro of dc electric fields

The effect of DC [Direct Current] Electric Fields [EF] on the chromosomes in human peripheral lymphocyte [HPL] cultures has been investigated. Sister Chromatid Exchange [SCE] method which is sensitive in showing chromosome damage and potential mutagens was used to screen the effect of intense EF of 0.5 kV/m and 1 kV/m on the chromosomes. Human blood cultures including 5-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine [BrdU] have been used. Incubated human blood cultures were divided into five groups as negative control, positive control 1 [83.5 x 10[-6] mg/ml Mitomycin C: MMC], positive control 2 [167 x 10[-6] mg/ml MMC], test 1 [0.5 kV/m EF] and test 2 [1 kV/m EF] groups. Standard chromosome analysis was applied to all cultures and Fluorescence Plus Giemsa [FPG] method was applied to slides to observe SCE. The mean SCE values per cell in positive control 1, positive control 2, test 1 and test 2 groups were 9.95 +/- 3.292, 11.6 +/- 4.872; 6.5 +/- 2.142 and 9.75 +/- 4.027, respectively. They were significantly higher than the negative control group's value 5.7 +/- 1.293 [p<0.001]