Anaemia (defined as Hb < 13gm/dl among men and 12 gm/dl among women) was noted in 28% of men (mean Hb (±s.d.) − 13.9(±1.6) gm%) and 45.9% of women (mean Hb (±s.d.) – 12.2(±1.2) gm%). This evidence concerns the gene GSTM1 and anemia.