[Study on the genetic damage in mice induced by the volatile organic compounds of decoration materials].
OBJECTIVE
To study genetic damage of mice caused by the volatile organic compounds (VOC) of decoration materials.


METHODS
Fifty-five hotel guest rooms newly decorated within 6 months and 18 hotel guest rooms not decorated within 3 years were selected to determine the concentrations of 6 main VOC (benzene, methylbenzene, dimethylbenzene, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, formaldehyde) in the air. Mice were exposed to VOC with the concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 40 times respectively as high as those present in the newly decorated rooms in an exposure cabinet for 15 days. DNA damage of peripheral lymphocytes of the mice was determined by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and bone marrow micronucleus test.


RESULTS
The concentrations of benzene, methylbenzene, dimethylbenzene, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate and formaldehyde in the rooms newly decorated within 6 months (6.50, 3.00, 6.70, 41.33, 1.70 and 0.14 mg/m(3) respectively) were significantly higher than those in rooms not decorated within 3 years (0.08, 0.94, 1.38, 0.25, 0.25, 0.01 mg/m(3), P < 0.01). DNA damage rates of peripheral lymphocytes in the concentrations of 10, 20, 40 times of exposure groups were significantly higher than those in the control groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and the frequencies of micronucleus in the mice exposed to 40 times of concentration was significantly higher than that in control group.


CONCLUSIONS
High concentrations of the volatile organic chemical compounds may cause genetic damage in mice. SCGE test is more sensitive than micronucleus test.
Tao
Xiao-yan
XY
Shenzhen Institute of Health Inspection, Shenzhen 518020, China.
Yu
Shu-yuan
SY
Kang
Li
L
Huang
Hai-xiong
HX
Wei
An-ye
AY
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D019055:No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000633:toxicity*; D010150:Paint / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D009930:Organic Chemicals