ABSTRACT
A gret number of children (1507) were seriously affected by the use of diapers processed with phenylmercury acetate, in order to obtain bacteriostatic effect. The cytogenetic study was performed in 38 children whose age ranged from 1 month to 5 years. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) was analysed in peripheral blood. The exposed children were classified in groups taking into account the period in which they were in touch with diapers and the time elapsed from the interruption of the diapers used until cytogenetic study. The value of SCE in the control group (presurgical children) was: Mean ñ SE = 5.9 ñ 0.6. Exposed children from 3 to 15 months with 9 months of interruption lapse of the use of diapers showed a significative increase in SCE frequency (Mean ñ SE = 7.9 ñ 1.8) respect to the group of children with a period of interruption was more than 9 months (Mean ñ SE = 5.9 ñ 0.9) and the controls (p < 0.001). This study suggests that the lymphocyte may be susceptible to phenyl-mercure acetate clastogenic effect. If the agent is clastogenic it may have carcinogenic effects the these children should be considered as a risk population
