Velickova Nevenka^1,, Kamcev Nikola¹

Aims of this study was to detect cytogenetic damage in mine workers working in a lead–zinc mine, which could be associated with a combined exposure to lead, zinc and cadmium. Methods: This study involved 120 mine workers from the lead–zinc mine in Macedonia, and a control group (30) of local people who had never worked in the mine. The authors used peripheral blood lymphocytes as the target material. The total share of structural chromosome aberration (SCA) were searched out over the 3 years of monitoring. Also they measured the blood level of lead, zinc and cadmium with ISP-AES. Results: The authors concluded increased blood lead level in the exposed group (Mean= O,089mg/l) and in 20% in the control group (Mean=0,066mg/l); increased zinc blood level in the exposed (Mean=1,391mg/l) and in control group (Mean=1,074mg/l); increased cadmium blood level in 62% of the exposed (Mean=0,007mg/l) and in 50% of the control group (Mean=0,006mg/l); Chromosomal aberrations (like dicentric and acentric chromosome) were found to be elevated in 7% of exposed individuals (mine workers) non in the control group. Both chromosome type aberrations in the exposed group were accompanied with anemia, leucocitosis and anisocitosis. Conclusion: The group of exposed people showing increased levels of chromosome abnormalities has a higher risk of developing cancer and other deseasses.

genotoxic agents, heavy metals, professionally exposed