Biological monitoring of genotoxic hazard in workers of the rubber industry.
Biological monitoring of genotoxic hazard in the rubber industry was performed in 19 male workers and 20 age-matched controls in a local health unit in northern Italy. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were analyzed for the presence of DNA damage (single-cell microgel-electrophoresis, or comet assay) and for cytogenetic parameters (sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei frequency, and proliferative rate index). The following bioassays were performed in urine samples: a) mutagenicity test and concentration of thioethers as markers of exposure, and b) excretion of D-glucaric acid and 6-beta-hydroxycortisol (related to 17-hydroxycorticosteroid excretion) as indicators of the inductive status of the microsomal enzyme system (phase-I). The exposed subjects showed statistically higher mean values of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and micronuclei and lower values of 6-beta-hydroxycortisol than controls, when taking cigarette smoking into account. The comet assay showed higher values for migration distance in exposed subjects than controls, although the differences were not significant at a p-value of 0.05. These findings suggest that industrial exposure in the rubber processing industry may cause genetic damage and may modify the activity level of some enzymes; these results should be considered with caution due to the small number of subjects enrolled.
Moretti
M
M
Department of Hygiene, University of Perugia, Italy.
Villarini
M
M
Scassellati-Sforzolini
G
G
Monarca
S
S
Libraro
M
M
Fatigoni
C
C
Donato
F
F
Leonardis
C
C
Perego
L
L
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004249:DNA Damage; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005937:Glucaric Acid / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D007221:Industry; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000032:analysis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D012408:Rubber; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013440:Sulfides / Q000652:urine
D015415:Biomarkers; D009153:Mutagens; D013440:Sulfides; C001380:6 beta-hydroxycortisol; D012408:Rubber; D005937:Glucaric Acid; D006854:Hydrocortisone