Chromosomal aberrations in workers professionally exposed to lead

Abstract

Chromosomes in cultured lymphocytes from the following groups were analyzed: 16 workers from a smelting plant for storage batteriers in Lyon, France; 7 workers from a factory where tin dishes are made at Nerem, Belgium; and 20 controls. The choice of the workers was made on the basis of either elevated blood lead (Lyon) or elevated urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (Nerem). An increased number of severe aberrations--rings and dicentrics--were detected in the persons from Lyon, whereas no such aberrations but an increased number of fragments were seen in those from Nerem.