title: Determination of exposure to aflatoxins among Danish workers in animal-feed production through the analysis of aflatoxin B1 adducts to serum albumin.
abstract: Aflatoxin B1 is suspected as an etiologic factor in the increased risk for primary liver cancer among workers in animal-feed processing plants in Denmark. Aflatoxin bound to serum albumin was therefore measured for feed-processing workers. Blood samples were collected immediately after vacation and after four weeks of work, and aflatoxin was quantified by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Seven of 45 individuals with an estimated exposure of 64 ng aflatoxin B1.d-1.kg-1 body weight were positive. Three positive workers had been unloading a cargo with an aflatoxin B1 level of 26 micrograms.kg-1 raw material. The exposure level correlated well with the job titles. Dust samples collected at different sites showed considerable variation in the amount of aflatoxin B1 (nondetectable to 8 micrograms.kg-1 dust). The exposure to aflatoxin B1 may only partially explain the increased risk of liver cancer.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Environmental Carcinogenesis, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Autrup
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seremet
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Autrup
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016604:Aflatoxin B1 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D004249:DNA Damage; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011485:Protein Binding
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D016604:Aflatoxin B1