Abstract: To investigate the relationship between metallotinonein(MT)gene expression in human peripheral lymphocytes(PBL) and their susceptibility to cadmium.Methods:PBL was isolated and incubated with 10μm cadmium chloride for 6 hours.Cell viability,DNA single breakage,Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)leak-age and M T gene expression level were examined.Results:MT gene expression and cell viability did not show significant difference between smoking group and non-smoking group.MT basal expression in PBL was correlated with LDH leakage,comet rate and ogrithm of cadmium concentration in blood(B-Cd),but not with cell viability.MT inducible ability was negatively correlated with LDH leakage and comet rate.Conclusion:The results suggested the possibility of MT inducible ability as a biomarker of susceptibility.