The clastogenic activity of capsaicin, a major pungent and irritating constituent of hot chili pepper, was evaluated in cultured human lymphocytes. Capsaicin (125, 250, and 500 $mu$M) caused cytogenetic damage as determined by increased frequency of chromosome/chromatid aberrations compared to the solvent control. The mitotic indices were also decreased in a concentration-related manner in capsaicin-treated cells. Moreover, capsaicin suppressed [$^3$]thymidine incorporation into lymphocytes. The clastogenicity and cytotoxicity of capsaicin towards human lymphocytes were evident without an external metabolic activation system. Taken together, these findings suggest that capsaicin is a genotoxic agent and may thus represent a potential health hazard in humans.