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

Micronuclei (MN) in blood lymphocytes were determined in 31 male workers oc cupationally exposed to lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) and 20 contr ol workers matched for age and smoking habits. Exposed workers have higher MN mean values than control workers (p < 0.01). In exposed workers, blood P b 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 st atistically significant compared to the controls (p > 0.05). These results suggest that lead may be genotoxic and the human lymphocyte micronucleus te st can be used to assess genotoxic effects that result from occupational ex posures.