A CYTOGENETIC STUDY OF SOME RADIUM DIAL-PAINTERS AND THEIR PROGENY

Preliminary cytogenetic analyses were performed on four radium dial-painters and the crude aver age exposure dose to their bone marrow was esti mated. Two instances of increased aneuploidy and three of increased chromosomal aberrations were observed in the four subjects, who had cumulative average bone marrow doses of 800 to 1,400 rem obtained at an average dose rate of 20 to 35 rem a year. Cytogenetic analyses were also performed in the progeny of four dial-painters, selected because of a history of frequent miscarriages and congenital anomalies. Among these were three instances of definite congenital anomaly. Increased aneuploidy was observed in all three patients. Additional observations and increased knowledge about the dosimetric and cytogenetic methods used are necessary before these preliminary findings can be adequately interpreted.