Determination of Benzo[a]pyrene Diol Epoxide—DNA Adducts in White Blood Cell DNA From Coke-Oven Workers: The Impact of Smoking

• Published in: JNCI : Journal of the National Cancer Institute 1990-06, Vol.82 (11), p.927-933
• Main Authors: van Schooten, Frederik Jan, van Leeuwen, Flora E., Hillebrand, Michel J. X., de Rijke, Marieke E., Hart, Augustinus A. M., van Veen, Henk G., Oosterink, Samuel, Kriek, Erik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide - analysis; Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Biological and medical sciences; Coal; Coke; Dihydroxydihydrobenzopyrenes - analysis; DNA - analysis; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Leukocytes - analysis; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mutagens - urine; Polycyclic Compounds - analysis; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Pyrenes - metabolism; Smoking - adverse effects
• ISSN: 0027-8874; 1460-2105
• DOI: 10.1093/jnci/82.11.927

We have undertaken a study among coke-oven workers to test the feasibility of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with anti-trans-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahy-dro-benzo[a]pyrene-DNA antibodies for monitoring occupational exposure to poly cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Coke-oven workers are occupationally exposed to relatively high levels of PAH and are at increased risk for lung cancer. Three blood samples were collected from each of the 56 coke-oven workers exposed to PAH and 44 unexposed workers employed in a steel-rolling factory of the same plant. In addition, PAH levels were measured in ambient air by personal sampling, and the excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene in urine was also measured on 3 consecutive working days. All participants were interviewed regarding working conditions, personal hygiene, and smoking habits. The results showed that the coke-oven workers were exposed to substantial concentrations of atmospheric PAH [1–186 μg/m3), including benzo[a]pyrene (0.1–7.8 μg/m3) and pyrene (0.6–23.6 μg/m3). Both benzo[a]pyrene and pyrene were shown to be representative for the whole group of PAH. Forty-seven percent of the coke-oven workers had detectable levels of PAH–DNA adducts in their white blood cells, compared with 30% of the controls. In both groups, smokers had significantly higher levels of PAH-DNA adducts than did nonsmokers. At one site, we found the correlation positive between DNA adducts and the duration of exposure (r= .47, p= .005). Generally, the correlation was not significant between PAH–DNA adducts in blood and the concentration of PAH in the air and 1-hydroxypyrene in urine. [J Natl Cancer Inst 82: 927–933, 1990]