Chromosome changes in workers (smokers and nonsmokers) exposed to automobile fuels and exhaust gases.

The incidence of chromosome changes in men occupationally exposed to automobile fuels and exhaust gases was investigated. Blood samples were taken from the following four groups of 12 men: drivers of diesel-engine trucks, drivers of gasoline-engine trucks, automobile inspectors, and a reference group. The men in the groups were matched with respect to age, smoking habits, and length of time in their respective jobs. Chromosome preparations from lymphocytes were made and analyzed by standardized routine methods, and the frequencies of gaps, breaks, and sister chromatid exchanges were recorded. Statistical analysis of the results gave no evidence for a marked occupational effect, though there remains a grave suspicion that working with diesel motors may cause an increased level of chromosome changes. Smokers showed a significant or near significant increase in breaks, total aberrations, and sister chromatid exchanges over the nonsmokers in three of the groups. An analysis of the data revealed a weak positive correlation between the frequencies of chromosome breaks and sister chromatid exchanges in an individual.

Large-bowel cancer in married couples in Sweden. A follow-up study.

The cause of death in 1951-1977 and cancer morbidity in 1959-73 were determined in 1094 (99.6%) eligible spouses of 1716 persons in Sweden who died from colon and rectum cancer in 1961. The risk of colorectal cancer and other possibly aetiologically related diseases was no higher in the spouses than in a matched population.