title: Frequency of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes of tannery workers in Brazil.
abstract: To evaluate the incidence of chromosomal aberrations (CA) in peripheral lymphocytes of workers chronically exposed to chemical hazards in a tannery in Franca, São Paulo, Brazil. The exposed group consisted of 10 male workers employed in the same tannery. The duration of work in the tannery ranged from 5 months to 14 years. The control group consisted of 10 males without a history of exposure to chemicals or other potentially genotoxic substances. A total of 100 well-spread metaphases were analyzed per subject. The frequency of CA was higher in the exposed group than in the control group. Smoking had a significant effect on the frequency of CA in both the control and the exposed groups. Chronic occupational exposure of tannery workers represents a relevant risk factor for the development of diseases associated with genetic damage.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles de Oliveira, 201 - Parque, Universitário, 14404-600 Franca, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Moacir A B
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Monteiro Neto
authors.forename: Carla C M
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lazaro
authors.forename: Denise C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.forename: Andréa O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Cecchi