Sister-chromatid exchanges in lymphocytes from styrene-exposed boat builders.
Sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) were measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes from 40 workers in the boat-building trade. Twenty of these workers were exposed to significant amounts of styrene. The mean air concentration of styrene in the breathing zone of the boat builders was 209 mg/m3 in the 7 exposed current smokers and 230 mg/m3 in the 13 exposed non-smokers. Urinary styrene metabolites were also measured and the mean mandelic acid/creatinine ratios in the exposed, smokers was 275 mg/g, and in the exposed, non-smokers 323 mg/g. The SCE frequency in lymphocytes from the styrene-exposed group did not differ from that in the controls, although smoking significantly induced SCE in these workers.
Kelsey
K T
KT
Laboratory of Radiobiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115.
Smith
T J
TJ
Hammond
S K
SK
Letz
R
R
Little
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012767:Ships; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D020058:Styrene; D013343:Styrenes / Q000633:toxicity*
D013343:Styrenes; D020058:Styrene