Increased lymphocyte sister chromatid exchange frequency in workers with exposure to low level of ethylene dichloride.
The genotoxicity of low-level exposure to ethylene dichloride (EDC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) in humans is not clear. We used lymphocyte sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency as a parameter to investigate the genotoxicity of low level EDC and VCM in VCM-manufacturing workers. The SCE frequency was determined for 51 male workers with exposure to VCM and/or EDC and for 20 male workers devoid of such exposure. Epidemiological data were obtained by questionnaire, and included history of smoking, drinking, and any medication taken, as well as a detailed occupational history. Personal- and area-sampling and analysis were conducted in order to calculate the time-weighted average (TWA) contaminant-exposure level corresponding to different job categories. Moderate EDC exposure around 1 ppm corresponded to a significantly greater SCE frequency than was the case for the low EDC exposure group (p<0.01). However, VCM exposure of similar level was not associated with increased SCE. We conclude that EDC may cause genotoxicity at a relatively low level of exposure.
Cheng
T J
TJ
Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan. tcheng@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
Chou
P Y
PY
Huang
M L
ML
Du
C L
CL
Wong
R H
RH
Chen
P C
PC
D000328:Adult; D005025:Ethylene Dichlorides / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange
D005025:Ethylene Dichlorides; D009153:Mutagens; C024565:ethylene dichloride