Genetic and oncogenic consequences of chemical and radiation pollution of the kuzbass and altai regions

摘要

We have assessed frequencies of micronucleated lamphocytes in 12307 individuals living in 7 towns in the south of the Kuzbass and Altai regions. Among the towns the majority of individuals with significantly high frequencies of micronucleated lymphocytes were detected in towns adjacent to the Semipalatinsk atomic testing ground (SATG). pollution of the environmetn was also caused by the activikty of metallurgical plants and coal idustry in this region. The greatest genome instability was found in the individuals born in the period of intensive testing on the SATG (from 1949 to 1962). Moreover, we have determined that the residents of the towns adjacent to the SATG have significantly high levels of antibodies to potentially oncogenic Epstein-Barr virus. The considerable Epstein-Basrr virus contamination among the residents in the radiation polluted zone around the SATG was supposed to be caused by immunodeficiency disorders in these individuals and induce high frequencies of micronucleated cells.