Introducton. Due to the increasing volumes of toxic substances entering the environment, including genotoxicants, it becomes necessary to conduct studies to assess their impact on people living in areas with high levels of pollutants, as well as people working in hazardous conditions. Epidemiological studies, in which damage to hereditary structures in human cells is assessed, in peripheral blood lymphocytes and buccal epithelial cells mainly, are carried out to determine the real genetic risk. Materials and methods. Samples of buccal epithelium were used. The study involved 69 people: 28 in the control group and 41 in the group of persons who were in contact with pesticides. The cytomorphological analysis took into account the following indicators: cytogenetic, cell proliferation, early and late destruction of nuclei. Results. The frequency of occurrence of the cells with micronuclei and protrusions in persons who were in contact with pesticides during their professional activities was increased 2.2 times, the frequency of cells with atypical nuclei - 2.5 times (differences in cytogenetic parameters between the groups were statistically insignificant). Statistically significant changes in the proliferation indicator were revealed - the frequency of cells with two nuclei (1.6 times), as well as the destruction indicators - karyorrhexis (4.5 times more often in nonsmokers and 8.2 times more often in smokers who work with pesticides) and karyolysis (the frequency of cells with initial karyolysis was increased by 3.4 times and 3.2 times with complete karyolysis). The index of accumulation of damage disorders was shown to be 4 times higher. Conclusion. The obtained data indicate an increased risk of damage to the genetic apparatus of cells in persons whose professional activities are associated with testing and using pesticides.