Duration of exposure to environmental carcinogens affects DNA-adduct level in human lymphocytes.
OBJECTIVE
An important issue in human biomonitoring is determining how exposure duration affects the kinetics of molecular biomarkers. In this study we compare the influence of exposure variables on DNA adducts.


METHODS
DNA adducts were analysed by 32P-postlabelling in lympho/monocytes of 677 Caucasian subjects.


RESULTS
After correction for other variables, DNA adducts increased depending on the length of occupational and smoke exposures. Higher DNA adducts were detected in workers with more than 14 years of exposure than in workers with shorter exposures (RR = 1.19, p = 0.049) and in smokers with more than 10 years of exposure than in smokers with shorter exposure (RR = 1.21, p <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure length is the primary factor affecting DNA-adduct level in lympho/monocytes both in smokers and in occupationally exposed subjects.
Izzotti
Alberto
A
Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy.
Pulliero
Alessandra
A
Puntoni
Riccardo
R
Peluso
Marco
M
Filiberti
Rosangela
R
Munnia
Armelle
A
Assennato
Giorgio
G
Ferri
Giovanni
G
Merlo
Domenico Franco
DF
D000328:Adult; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000633:toxicity*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018736:DNA Adducts / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes
D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D018736:DNA Adducts; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes