Sister chromatid exchanges and structural chromosome aberrations in relation to smoking in 91 individuals

Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and structural chromosome aberrations were analyzed in peripheral blood lymphocytes and correlated to smoking habits of 91 individuals. There was no difference between smokers and nonsmokers, neither as regards the frequency of SCE, nor for the frequency of structural chromosome aberrations in the total material. In a subgroup exposed to epoxy resins, though, a significantly elevated number of SCE among the smokers was noted. Conversely, smoking did not have any effect as regards SCE among individuals exposed to ethylene oxide—the exposure group with the highest level of SCE. Thus, although there may be an association between smoking habits and the SCE rate in certain populations, this is apparently not a general phenomenon.