Chromosome translocation in residents of high background radiation area in China

Abstract Utilizing our improved cytogenetic methods specifically developed for the study of the low dose effect, we analyzed chromosome translocations in the lymphocytes in 5 children and 11 old men in the naturally high background radiation area (HBRA) and in 6 children and 10 old men in the control area. Children had less number of translocations having less variation compared with the old men. The frequency of translocations among elder individuals is widely varied. Effect of the high background radiation on the frequency of translocation was not detected. The present study demonstrates that the contribution of radiation to the induction of stable chromosome type aberrations which accumulate in the body and therefore have statistically potential risk of causing malignant and/or congenital diseases is not significant compared with those of chemical mutagens and/or metabolic factors.