Sister Chromatid Exchange and Pulmonary Function Tests
A Correlative Study of Sister Chromatid Exchange and Pulmonary Function Tests in Industrial Workers
Industrialization coupled with vehicular pollution, has proved to be a double edged sword over the years. They are gradually affecting the lungs and genetic status of each one of us, especially the industrial worker, who works under difficult conditions. This study was planned on 24 industrial workers chosen from an electrical plant exposed to various kinds of pollutants. They were divided into 3 groups depending on the duration of exposure to the industrial environment. Pulmonary function tests were performed using the standard spirometer. The PFT parameters included FVC, FEV, FEF 25-75% and PEFR. Subsequently, sister chromatid exchange study was done on the peripheral blood of each workers. The workers exposed to the polluted environment of the industrial unit for a longer duration had high SCE frequency and their PFT parameters were deranged.
The control exhibited nearly normal values. An inverse co-relation was established between the two parameters chosen for the study. These tests are valuable aids and may be employed for regular and periodic health monitoring of the workers.
Department of Anatomy, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi
