Biological monitoring for mutagenic effects of occupational exposure to butadiene

Variability in human sensitivity to 1,3‐butadiene: Influence of the allelic variants of the microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene

“…There was more than a 2-fold increase (P Ͻ 0.02) in the frequencies of HPRT mutant lymphocytes in the group of workers with exposure above our criterion level of 150 ppb of BD compared to the group of workers exposed to Ͻ150 ppb. These results are consistent with our earlier observations, which established that occupational exposure to BD in either BD monomer or SBR polymer production is associated with an increase in the frequency of somatic cell mutations in lymphocytes [Ward et al, 1994[Ward et al, , 1996Ma et al, 2000;Ammenheuser et al, 2001]. Our studies indicate that, for at least some workers, there is an elevation in the frequency of somatic cell mutations under current exposure conditions .…”

“…For a number of years our laboratory has evaluated occupational exposure to BD in workers in the synthetic rubber industry using the HPRT mutant lymphocyte assay as a biomarker of mutagenic effect [Ward et al, 1994[Ward et al, , 1996Ma et al, 2000;Ammenheuser et al, 2001;Abdel-Rahman et al, 2001]. We have used the autoradiographic version of the HPRT assay in several studies [Ward et al, 1994[Ward et al, , 1996Ammenheuser et al, 2001;Abdel-Rahman et al, 2001] and the cloning assay in one study . As the metabolism of BD has become better understood, polymorphic alleles of enzymes that are important in the detoxification of BD have been identified.…”

Assessment of 1,3-Butadiene Exposure in Polymer Production Workers Using HPRT Mutations in Lymphocytes as a Biomarker

“…The average LI was 0.16, and the average number of evaluatable cells was 2.57 × 10 6 lymphocytes. These values are comparable to other studies that we have conducted (20,22,24,27). The mean LIs were identical in the two exposure groups (0.16), and the mean numbers of evaluatable cells (LI × total cells) were 2.78 × 10 6 and 2.38 × 10 6 in the low-and high-exposure groups, respectively.…”

“…No increase was observed in chromosome aberrations using conventional cytogenetic assays, although a small increase in chromosomal damage was detected in cells from the higher exposed group compared to the low-or nonexposed groups after an in vitro challenge with X rays (21). A follow-up study at this same monomer plant a few months later confirmed the observation of an increased HPRT variant frequency (Vf) (22).…”

“…This increase in the frequency of mutant lymphocytes was correlated with an increase in the M1 urine metabolite (20,22). In continuing studies we are enlarging the study population and making a more detailed assessment of exposure using a more sensitive method for the measurement of external exposure.…”