Objective: To explore genotoxicity of rare-earth elements, yttrium and praseodymium.
Methods: Effects of yttrium chloride and praseodymium chloride on human lymphocytes cultured in vitro were studied by micronucleus test.
Results: Frequency of micronucleus in human blood lymphocytes increased significantly by treatment with yttrium chloride and praseodymium chloride, and it increased with the concentration of the both agents, to a certain range.
Conclusion: It suggests that rare-earth elements yttrium and praseodymium have certain genotoxicity.