Urinary excretion of mutagens, thioethers and D-glucaric acid in workers exposed to bitumen fumes.
The authors carried out biological monitoring of the mutagenic/carcinogenic hazards associated with exposure to bitumen fumes during paving operations, analysing some biological parameters in the urine of a group of exposed workers. The urine samples were studied for mutagenicity by the Ames test and for thioethers concentration. D-Glucaric acid urine excretion was also determined to investigate the enzymatic induction potential of bitumens. Even though, in a previous environmental monitoring phase, a low content of mutagenic/carcinogenic compounds was found in bitumen and air samples, urinary mutagenicity data of exposed workers were statistically higher than those of a group of unexposed subjects. The urinary mutagenicity increased further if exposure to bitumens was associated with cigarette smoking. Thioethers were higher only in subjects exposed simultaneously to bitumens and cigarettes. D-Glucaric acid excretion did not increase significantly. The authors think that this type of coupled environmental and biological monitoring is a valid tool for a better evaluation of the mutagenic/carcinogenic exposure to bitumens or similar complex mixtures.
Pasquini
R
R
Department of Hygiene, University of Perugia, Italy.
Monarca
S
S
Scassellati Sforzolini
G
G
Savino
A
A
Bauleo
F A
FA
Angeli
G
G
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005937:Glucaric Acid / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009153:Mutagens / Q000652:urine*; D013400:Sugar Acids / Q000652:urine*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000652:urine*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D009153:Mutagens; D013400:Sugar Acids; D013440:Sulfides; C006647:asphalt; D005937:Glucaric Acid