Biomarkers of exposure and effect in Bulgarian petrochemical workers exposed to benzene

Chem Biol Interact. 2005 May 30:153-154:247-51. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2005.03.030.

Abstract

Biomarkers of benzene exposure and effect were evaluated in 158 Bulgarian petrochemical workers and 50 matched controls. Air exposures to benzene averaged about 1.8 ppm, for workers and 0.02 ppm for controls. Urinary trans,trans-muconic acid, and S-phenylmuconic acid, showed dose response relationships with benzene air exposure. The dose response curve for DNA single strand breaks (SSB), but not for the metabolites, showed a saturation effect. NQO1 genotype had a significant effect on SSB. We conclude that the pathways for these metabolites may be distinct from those involved in some forms of genotoxic damage induced by benzene.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcysteine / analogs & derivatives
  • Acetylcysteine / urine
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / analysis
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / toxicity*
  • Benzene / analysis
  • Benzene / toxicity*
  • Biomarkers*
  • Bulgaria
  • Chemical Industry
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • DNA Damage
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Male
  • NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) / genetics
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Petroleum
  • Sorbic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Sorbic Acid / analysis

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Biomarkers
  • Petroleum
  • muconic acid
  • S-phenyl-N-acetylcysteine
  • NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)
  • NQO1 protein, human
  • Benzene
  • Acetylcysteine
  • Sorbic Acid