Micronucleus frequencies in workers exposed to lead, zinc, and cadmium

HAMURCU Z., ALTUNTAŞ H., SARAYMEN R., Demirtaş H.

BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH, vol.83, no.2, pp.97-102, 2001 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 83 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2001
  • Doi Number: 10.1385/bter:83:2:097
  • Journal Name: BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.97-102
  • Keywords: cadmium, human lymphocyte, lead, micronucleus, zinc
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Micronuclei (MN) in blood lymphocytes were determined in 31 male workers occupationally exposed to lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) and 20 control workers matched for age and smoking habits. Exposed workers have higher MN mean values than control workers (p < 0.01). In exposed workers, blood Pb concentrations were also significantly higher than in control workers (p < 0.001), but the mean concentrations of Zn and Cd in the blood were not statistically significant compared to the controls (p > 0.05). These results suggest that lead may be genotoxic and the human lymphocyte micronucleus test can be used to assess genotoxic effects that result from occupational exposures.