Chromosome Aberrations and Sister Chromatid Exchange after in Vitro Exposure of Human Lymphocyte to Methyl Isocyanate (MIC)

Methyl isocyanate is an intermediate chemical in the production of carbamate pesticides. It is reactive and hazardous to human health. The toxic effect of the compound was apparent in the Bhopal disaster, where methyl isocyanate and other gases were released from the underground reservoirs of Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) factory, over a populated area on December 3, 1984. In this present study CA and SCE have been measured. Positive implications about clastogenic effects by MIC induced cytogenic alteration in the form of chromosomal aberration in in vitro human lymphocyte culture was recorded. In chromosomal aberration, mainly centromeric breaks were high after addition of MIC as compared to control. So this indicates that MIC specifically acts on centromeric region of human chromosome. Centromeric region mainly composed of heterochromatin. Hence, it can be concluded that MIC mainly affects heterochromatin region of chromosomes. Even Dicentric, Ring, Premature Separation of Centromere were also observed. While there was no change in the SCE frequency in the exposed group compared to controlled one. But the rate of cell division was little decreased in the exposed individuals. And therefore to further justify, additional in vitro and in vivo studies need to be performed so as to confirm these data and to discover the mechanism of the possible protective effects.