Cytogenetic effects of radon inhalation

The effect of radon inhalation on the bone marrow cells was studied including chromosomal aberration, mitotic activity of marrow cells and the formation of micronuclei in red blood cell. Swiss albino mice were exposed to well-characterized radon doses from a pitchblende powder source placed inside the exposure radon chamber. The accumulated radon doses received by the animals ranged from 13.01 to 65.05 working level month (WLM) and were taken over 5–25 weeks. The results indicated the formation of different types of structural chromosomal aberrations, where chromosomal and chromatid breaks had the dominant incidence. The damaging effect of radon in the blood and bone marrow was expressed as a reduction in the mitotic index and an increase in chromosome damage. The chromosome damage was measured as either micronuclei in the blood or as chromosome aberrations in mitotic cells of the bone marrow.