Maras Powder is a kind of smokeless tobacco widely used in lieu of cigarettes in the South-Eastern region of Turkey. In this study, we have evaluated micronuclei in buccal mucosa cells of habitual Maras Powder users. Therefore, we divided our subjects into three groups--smokeless tobacco users, smokers and non-smokers/non-users. The mean percentage of micronucleated (MN) cells was significantly higher in smokeless tobacco users and smokers than in non-smokers/non-users (P < 0.01) [corrected]. The mean percentage of MN cells was 1.86 +/- 0.26 in users and 1.99 +/- 0.30 in smokers. There was no difference between the mean percentage of MN cells in these two groups. In conclusion, the genotoxic effect of smokeless tobacco should be considered in addition to other known hazards.

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The plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels were measured in a group of male subjects occupationally exposed to lead for an average period of 17 yr, and compared to those from an age-matched control group living in the same city in a similar socioeconomical environment. The blood lead and plasma zinc levels were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels were established by the malondialdehyde determination method. Significant differences were found in the blood lead levels in lead-exposed workers, 15.00 +/- 10.15 microg/dL as compared to controls, 2.37 +/- 0.89 microg/dL. The plasma (2.67 +/- 0.69 microM) and erythrocyte (27.53 +/- 6.28 nmol/g Hb) lipid peroxide levels in workers with occupational exposure to lead were significantly higher than controls, 1.23 +/- 0.61 microM and 14.35 +/- 2.08 nmol/g Hb, respectively. There were no significant differences of the zinc levels in both groups. The blood lead levels had a statistically significant positive correlation with age and with duration of exposure in both groups, but showed no relationship to the corresponding blood zinc levels. The results presented in this study indicate that the increase of plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels in workers exposed to lead may be related to the lead concentration, age and duration of exposure. Index Entries: Blood lead; lipid peroxides; malondialdehyde.

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Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in blood lymphocytes was determined in 32 male workers occupationally exposed to lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) and in 20 controls matched for age and smoking habits. Exposed workers have higher SCE mean values than control workers (p < 0.01). In exposed persons, blood Pb concentrations were also significantly higher than controls (p < 0.0001), but the difference between Zn levels in the blood of these groups was not found to be significant (p > 0.05). Our results indicate that Pb may be genotoxic and harmful to human health.