[Cytogenetic Aberrations in Somatic Cells of Children Living in Areas with Various Levels of Environmental Pollution]

Micronuclear test was used to carry out genetic screening in somatic cells of children from different St. Petersburg districts with varying ecologic conditions. Preschool children from districts with high anthropogenic load (soil, air) revealed significant increase of epitheliocyte number in mouth mucosa. Girls appeared to be more sensitive to unfavourable environmental effects than boys. Mean values of cells with micronuclei in ecologically safe districts were 0.38 and 0.66% in pre- and school children, respectively. The study performed showed a possibility to use micronuclei count in the mouth mucosa investigating genetic effects of environmental pollution.