Iranian Journal of Public Health (Jul 2001)

"Sister Chromatid Exchanges and Micronuclei in Lymphocyte of Nurses Handling Antineoplastic Drugs"

  • M Ansari-Lari,
  • M Saadat,
  • M Shahryari,
  • DD Farhud

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 30, no. 1-2
pp. 37 – 40

Abstract

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Individuals handling antineoplastic drugs or their wastes may absorb these potent genotoxic agents. The effects of handling antineoplastic drugs were examined in a group of 24 nurses working in the hematology and oncology departments of two different university hospitals in Shiraz (Iran) and in a group of 18 unexposed nurses as control group. The cytogenetic repercussions of exposure were assessed by examining sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and micronuclei (Mn) in circulating lymphocytes. A significant increased frequencies of SCE and Mn is observed in circulating lymphocytes. A significant increased frequencies of SCE and Mn is observed in nurses in daily contact with antineoplastic drugs as compared to control group.

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