Chromosome studies on blood lymphocytes of men occupationally exposed to cadmium

Chromosome studies were carried out on peripheral blood lymphocytes from a population of 40 men occupationally exposed to cadmium salts for periods up to 34 years, and on 13 on-site controls. Although four chromatid interchanges were observed in 3740 cells from the exposed workers and none in the 1243 cells from controls, there was no significant difference in aberration frequency between the two groups. Possible reasons for contrasting findings on the chromosome-damaging effects of cadmium in other published reports are discussed, and the possibility that heavy metals might act synergistically to enhance the mutagenicity of other compounds present in the environment is considered.