DNA adducts and DNA strand breaks in white blood

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BACKGROUND. Mastic asphalt workers may be exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contained in fu-. ○ mes of bitumen. The potential ...
DNA adducts and DNA strand breaks in white blood cells of workers exposed to fumes of bitumen (human bitumen study) B. Marczynski1, M. Raulf-Heimsoth1, A. Spickenheuer1, B. Pesch1, T. Mensing1, B.K. Schindler1, B. Kendzia1, P. Welge1, D. Breuer2, J.-U. Hahn2, J. Angerer1, H.U. Käfferlein1, T. Brüning1 1 2

Institut für Prävention und Arbeitsmedizin der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung, Institut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum Institut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung, Sankt Augustin, Germany INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND z Mastic asphalt workers may be exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contained in fumes of bitumen. z The potential carcinogenicity of fumes of bitumen in humans has been controversially discussed for several years. Previous studies cannot be interpreted due to major qualitative or quantitative limitations. z Overall, bitumen is labelled as “high priority substance” for future evaluation by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. OBJECTIVE z To determine genotoxic properties of exposure to fumes of bitumen in humans. z To generate dose-response relationship which can help to establish health-based threshold limit values for exposed workers.

Table 2: Distribution of DNA strand breaks using the Comet assay and DNA adducts (8-OxodGuo and anti-BPDE) in workers with and without exposure to fumes of bitumen

8 O dG /106dGuo 8-OxodGuo dG

anti-BPDE adducts /108 nucleotides

Reference group N = 118

Bitumen-exposed workers N = 320

41 (18-64) (18 64)

41 (17-63) (17 63)

Current smokers

N (%)

61 (51.7)

199 (62.2)

German nationality

N (%)

96 (81 (81.4) 4)

218 (68 (68.3) 3)

Median (interquartile range)

0.20 (0.07-0.30)a

3.46 (1.80-5.90)

M di (interquartile Median (i t til range))

210 (172-258) (172 258)

1847 (1256-3023) (1256 3023)

41 (18-64)

41 (17-63)

Fumes of bitumen (mg/m3) P l Polycyclic li aromatic i hydrocarbons h d b

Age (years)

(ng/m ( / 3)b

Median (range)

Median (interquartile range)

N (N