Genotoxic effects of potassium dichromate in human blood cultures

We have assessed the genotoxic effect of a chromium salt: potassium dichrom ate at concentrations of 0.476 x 10(-8) M and 0.952 x 10(-8) M on human blo od lymphocyte cultures. The genotoxic parameters studied were sister chroma tid exchanges (SCEs), cell cycle proliferative index (CCPI) and numerical a berrations (NAS). The data revealed dose-related increases in the induction of SCEs per cell and SCEs per chromosome. Their percentage values showed a similar trend. CCPI values were unaltered. Aneuploidy was observed in the cultures containing the higher concentration of dichromate. These results i ndicate a probable nuclear DNA-chromium interaction in cells, leading to ge notoxicity. Med Sci Res 27:839-841 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.