Objective To study the effects of occupational nickel exposure on micronucleus rate of workers' peripheral blood lymphocytes and their chromosome damage.
Methods According to the different production processes, altogether 231 steel refining workers, millmen and slaggers from an iron and steel enterprise were selected as nickel exposure group, another 75 water pumping workers as the control group. Lymphocyte micronucleus rate of both exposure and control groups was detected using cytokine sis-block micronucleus-test, the nickel content in urine was detected by dimethylglyoxime sectrophotometry.
Results Micronucleus rate of different nickel exposure groups seperately compared to the control group had statistical significance (P < 0.05), and had positive correlation with urine nickel content(r=0.971). Micronucleus rate of different work-age groups separately compared to the control group had statistical significance (P < 0.01), and had positive correlation with the micronucleus rate and urine nickel content(rmicronucleus rate=0.923, P < 0.05; rurine nickel=0.915, P < 0.05). The nickel content in urine of different nickel exposure groups seperately compared to the control group had statistical significance(P < 0.05). There were no significant differences of 0-and 6-work-age groups in urinary nickel content compared to the control group (P > 0.05), but in other work-age groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion Occupational nickel exposure could increase lymphocyte micronucleus rate in workers, and cause chromosomes impairment.
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