Chromosome aberration, sister-chromatid exchange, proliferative rate index, and serum thiocyanate concentration in smokers exposed to low-dose benzene

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/em.2850230211· OSTI ID:96314

Major, J; Jakab, M; Kiss, G ^[1]

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1. National Institute of Occupational Health, Budapest (Hungary); and others

Cytogenetical endpoints, i.e., chromosome aberration (CA), sister-chromatid exchange (SCE), and proliferative rate indexes (PRI), were measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of 42 workers exposed occupationally to low-dose benzene, and of 42 controls. The role of smoking habit as a confounding factor of genotoxic effects caused by occupational low-dose benzene exposure was also studied. The benzene concentrations in the ambient air samples varied from 3 to 20 mg/m{sup 3} (mean: 7 mg/m{sup 3}). The continuous low-dose benzene exposure significantly increased the CA and SCE frequencies, but did not influence PRI. Smoking levels were characterized by subjective accounts and by serum thiocyanate concentrations (SCN). CA and SCE were not significantly increased in smokers compared to nonsmokers, but the differences were expressed to a greater extent in the case of measurement of SCN concentrations. Determination of SCN proved to be more objective in the assessment of genotoxic effects of smoking as a confounding factor of occupational low-dose benzene exposure. 42 refs., 4 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 96314
• Journal Information: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, Journal Name: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 23; ISSN 0893-6692; ISSN EMMUEG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BENZENE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
LYMPHOCYTES
MAN
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES
THIOCYANATES
TOBACCO SMOKES