Cytogenetic Evaluation in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes of Individuals living in high natural background radiation of Botteng Village, Mamuju

Mamuju area in Indonesia recorded has a higher average dose rate compared to other regions and considered
as a high natural background radiation area. Inhabitants of Botteng village in Mamuju received radiation exposure
higher than other areas in Indonesia. Studies on the cytogenetics status of populations in Botteng are important to know the information about effects of chronic low dose exposures. Aim of this study was to evaluate the cytogenetics status in peripheral blood lymphocytes of Botteng inhabitants using chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus assays. Seventy healthy adult subjects from Botteng and eighteen healthy adult subjects from normal background radiation area were included in this study. Cytogenetic evaluation was conduct using chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus assays. Results showed that there was no statistically different of unstable chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus number in Mamuju and control samples. It was also seen in this study that there was a tendency that MN numbers increase with age in Mamuju and control samples. The mean MN numbers per BNC cells also was higher in females compared to males in all groups. Overall, in can be concluded that chronic low radiation dose exposure in Botteng village has no effect on unstable chromosomal aberrations and MN numbers among Botteng village inhabitants. It is possible that the level of radiation exposure was not adequate to induce significant chromo-somal aberrations in Botteng village inhabitants or the repair process of the DNA damage in individuals from Botteng village was very efficient.