Study on peripheral blood lymphocytes chromosome abnormality of people exposed to cadmium in environment

Chromosome aberration (CA) and micronucleus (MN) tests were applied to investigate peripheral blood lymphocytes in 56 people environmentally exposed to cadmium (Cd) for a period up to 30 years, and in 10 unexposed people as controls. As indicator of body-load of Cd, urinary Cd (UCd) concentrations were measured simultaneously. The people in polluted villages were divided into four groups according to various levels of UCd concentrations: -2.5, 2.5-, 5.0-, 10.0- (micrograms/l). There was significant difference in MN rates between the exposed and control groups (3.47, 5.06, 8.06, 12.75/1000 for the exposed groups respectively, and 3.10/1000 for the controls), and significant correlation between MN rates and UCd was observed. Although no marked difference in CA rates was noted between UCd 5.0- and 10.0- groups, there was significant difference in CA rates between the exposed and control groups (3.07, 5.21, 7.21, 8.50% for exposed groups respectively, and 2.33% for the controls) and significant correlation between CA rates and UCd. CA was presented mainly in the form of chromatid and chromosome gaps and breaks. Together with our another study "An Investigation on Human Health Effects by Environmental Cadmium Pollution", the results suggest that Cd may injure human chromosomes and that the damage appears to be concentrated on cytogenetic material and may happen earlier than renal disfunction.