This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of utilizing micronucleus test for buccal mucosa and blood lymphocyte as an indicator for the evaluation of chromium mutagenicity in workers (n=40) exposed to chromium, chromium trioxide
(CrO3) and
controls (n=40) in Pusan and Changwon cities form April 1 to August 30, 1992. Urine chromium concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Self-recorded questionnaire were used to collect information on the relevant
characteristics
of the study subjects.
@ES The results were as follows.
@EN 1. The mean frequencies of micronucleus in buccal mucosa, blood lymphocytes and average urine chromium concentration of chromium platers were significantly higher than those for controls (p<0.01).
2. The mean frequencies of micronucleus in buccal mucosa and blood lymphocyte of chromium platers by smoking habit were significantly higher than those of controls (p<0.01). However, the difference of mean frequencies of micronucleus between
smokers and
non-smokers were not statistically significant (p>0.05).
3. The frequencies of micronucleus in buccal mucosa and blood lymphocyte were highly correlated (r=0.7706). Some of the other variable were also correlated for example, urine Cr concentrations and frequencies of micronucleus in blood lymphocyte
(r=0.7259), urine Cr concentrations and frequencies of micronucleus in buccal mucosa (r=0.6247), age and work duration (r=0.4032), work duration and frequencies of micronucleus in buccal mucosa (r=0.3603), age and frequencies of micronucleus in
blood
lymphocyte (r=0.3260), work duration and frequencies of micronucleus in blood lymphocyte (r=0.3231), age and frequencies of micronucleus in buccal mucosa (r=0.2760).
4. According to the results of multiple classification analysis, frequencies on micronucleus in buccal mucosa were statistically associated with occupation and work duration, frequencies of micronucleus in blood lymphocyte associated with
occupation and
work duration, and urine Cr concentrations associated with occupation.
The results suggested that micronucleus test in buccal mucosa and blood lymphocyte could be used as a biological indicator for evaluating toxic effects of chromium.
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