Cytogenetic investigations in employees from waste industries

In 1960 Moorhead developed the method of chromosomal analysis in peripheral lymphocytes. It was used for the first time in 1962 by Bender and Gooch for detecting biological effects of ionising radiation. In 1964 Pollini reported chromosomal alterations in bone marrow cells and peripheral lymphocytes of a patient suffering from benzene haemopathia. During the following years more and more cytogenetic investigations of groups of people exposed to chemical and physical noxae were done to look for possible mutagenic and/or genotoxic effects of the substances in question. In addition to many other occupational and environmental noxae the biologic effect of metals and their organic compounds has been investigated with cytogenetic methods, for example arsenic, lead, cadmium mercury and nickel (for review see Ashby 1985 and Au 1991).