Comparison of chromosome aberrations and micronuclei in testing genotoxicity in humans

Chromosome-type aberrations (CsA) and micronuclei (Mn) rates were compared in conventional 2-day lymphocyte cultures. In 67 healthy controls the mean rate of CsA was 0.54%, and that of Mn 2.38/1000 (median 1.66/1000). Mn were significantly correlated with age. The rate of Mn was higher in the 30 individuals with CsA > or = 1% than in the 37 subjects with no CsA. However, in 40 cadmium (Cd) workers, contrary to that found for CsA, the rates of Mn did not differ from those of the controls matched for age and smoking habits, not even in the subgroup with the highest Cd cumulative exposure index, while an age effect was evident both in the exposed and in the controls.