H. Donmez et al., INCREASED SISTER-CHROMATID EXCHANGES IN WORKERS EXPOSED TO OCCUPATIONAL LEAD AND ZINC, Biological trace element research, 61(1), 1998, pp. 105-109
Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in blood lymphocytes was determined in
32 male workers occupationally exposed to lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) and
in 20 controls matched for age and smoking habits. Exposed workers ha
ve higher SCE mean values than control workers (p < 0.01). In exposed
persons, blood Pb concentrations were also significantly higher than c
ontrols (p < 0.0001), but the difference between Zn levels in the bloo
d of these groups was not found to be significant (p > 0.05). Our resu
lts indicate that Pb may be genotoxic and harmful to human health.