title: Evaluation of genotoxic effects in a group of workers exposed to low levels of styrene.
abstract: Occupational exposure to styrene was studied in a group of workers engaged in the production of fiberglass-reinforced plastics. Sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE), micronuclei (MN), and DNA damage (evaluated by means of comet assay) were measured in peripheral blood cells from the exposed workers and from a control population. Mandelic acid concentration, an indicator of styrene exposure level, was measured in urine samples collected at the end of the work shift. Average estimated values for styrene exposure were slightly below the threshold limit value (TLV) of 20 ppm recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Significant increases (P< or =0.01) have been found for SCE and MN frequencies and comet tail length among exposed individuals, as well as significant decreases (P< or =0.01) in the proliferation indices, as compared with control population. High correlation has been obtained between endpoints evaluated and exposure length, and increased values of SCE and MN frequencies and comet tail length have been found among smokers only in the exposed population. The high correlation obtained among SCE and MN frequencies and comet tail length, and the increase of these parameters in the exposed group with regard to control group justify the use of these three biomarkers in the evaluation of genotoxic effects in human populations exposed to styrene.
authors.affiliation: Dpto. Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Campus A Zapateira s/n, 15071, La Coruna, Spain.
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Laffon
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pásaro
authors.forename: Josefina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Méndez
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D005838:Genotype; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008333:Mandelic Acids / Q000652:urine; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange; D012907:Smoking; D020058:Styrene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D008333:Mandelic Acids; D020058:Styrene; C413545:glutathione S-transferase T1; C037938:mandelic acid