[Relationship between the induction of micronuclei in marrow cells by chromium salts and their carcinogenic properties].

The micronucleus test has been used to study the mutagenic activity of chromium derivatives and to examine the relationship between their carcinogenic properties and their ability to induce chromosomal damage. It has been found that potassium dichromate is a potent mutagen increasing, for instance, the rate of micro-nucleated erythrocytes while calcium chromate and chromic nitrate are ineffective. From our observations and the data on carcinogenicity, it can be concluded that the micronucleus test cannot be used to predict the carcinogenic properties of chromium derivatives.