[Early genetic effects on workers occupationally exposed to formaldehyde].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the DNA and chromosome damage in peripheral blood lymphocyte of workers occupationally exposed to formaldehyde (FA).


METHODS
All 151 workers occupationally exposed to FA from two plywood factories and 112 workers without occupational FA exposure working in a machine manufactory were recruited into this study. Comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus technique was used to evaluate the DNA and chromosomal damage of peripheral blood lymphocyte. The air FA samples were collected with SKC 224-PCXR8 air samplers. Gas chromatography was used to analyze the FA level. Personal information including occupational history, age, sex, smoking and drinking status was collected by the questionnaire.


RESULTS
The time weighted average concentration (TWA) of FA in the working environment of FA-exposed workers (range 0.10 - 7.88 mg/m(3)) was higher than those in controls (< 0.01 mg/m(3)). The olive tail moment (Olive TM) in low FA-exposed workers [3.03 (2.49 - 3.67)] was lower than that in high FA-exposed workers [3.95 (3.53 - 4.43)], but higher than that in controls [0.93 (0.78 - 1.10)], the differences were statistical significant (P < 0.05). Comet trail length in FA-exposed workers were significantly higher than that in controls [6.78 (6.05 - 7.60)], but no significant differences ware found between the high FA-exposed workers [12.59 (11.80 - 13.43)] and the low FA-exposed workers [11.25 (10.12 - 12.50)]. The frequency of micronuclei per 100 binucleated cells in low FA-exposed workers (0.41 +/- 0.25) was lower than that in high FA-exposed workers (0.65 +/- 0.36), but higher than that in controls (0.27 +/- 0.13), the differences were statistical significant (P < 0.05). The increased tendencies with the exposure levels were found in those three indices. In stratification analysis, the same results were found.


CONCLUSIONS
In the current FA exposure levels, the DNA and chromosomal damage in peripheral blood lymphocyte might be induced by FA exposure, and be increased with the levels of exposure.
Yu
Li-qun
LQ
Department of Preventive Medicine, North China Coal Medical College, Tangshan 063000, China.
Jiang
Shou-fang
SF
Leng
Shu-guang
SG
He
Feng-sheng
FS
Zheng
Yu-xin
YX
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000032:analysis* / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D012907:Smoking; D055815:Young Adult
D005557:Formaldehyde