Guerbet Michel, Brisorgueuil Emilie, Jolibois Boris, Caillard Jean-François, Gehanno Jean-François
Laboratory of Toxicology, ADEN EA 3234 Rouen University Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rouen, France.
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2007;20(2):137-45. doi: 10.2478/v10001-007-0014-4.
The aim of the study was to evaluate urinary mutagenicity in workers employed in a major chemical plant located near Rouen (France) that produces dichlorobenzidine and azo dyes.
Samples were obtained from 47 male workers aged 38.9+/-11.3 years (range, 21-58 years), mean duration of employment 9.0+/-8.7 years (range, 1-32 years) for urinary mutagenicity determination with use of the Ames fluctuation test (strains TA 98 and TA 100 with and without metabolic activation) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. To assess occupational exposure of workers, urine samples were collected in two series. First, initial just after a one-month holiday (non-exposure). Second, four months later during regular occupational activity. During the same periods, workers completed a questionnaire, which sought information concerning their working conditions, non-occupational factors, and personal habits.
Of the total 47 samples tested, 3 (6%) collected just after a one-month holiday and 6 (12%) samples collected during regular occupational activity were positive in at least one mutagenicity assay. Dichlorobenzidine traces ranging from 1.6 to 8.9 ppb were detected in 4 (8%) samples of the exposed as well as in 4 (8%) samples of non-exposed workers. No significant differences between biological and analytical responses obtained in the non-exposure period and after occupational exposure were observed, however, 5 (11%) workers in this group presented urinary mutagenicity that could be related to occupational exposure.
The study suggests that some industrial hygiene problems, revealed in the analysis of questionnaire responses and confirmed by our evaluation, could be undoubtedly and easily solved to improve working conditions of the employees.
本研究旨在评估在法国鲁昂附近一家生产二氯联苯胺和偶氮染料的大型化工厂工作的工人的尿液致突变性。
从47名年龄在38.9±11.3岁（范围21 - 58岁）、平均工作年限9.0±8.7年（范围1 - 32年）的男性工人中采集样本，采用Ames波动试验（使用TA 98和TA 100菌株，有或无代谢活化）和气相色谱/质谱法测定尿液致突变性。为评估工人的职业暴露情况，分两个阶段收集尿液样本。第一阶段，在为期一个月的假期后刚上班时（非暴露期）。第二阶段，四个月后在正常职业活动期间。在同一时期，工人们完成了一份问卷，问卷询问了他们的工作条件、非职业因素和个人习惯。
在总共检测的47个样本中，1个月假期后刚采集的3个样本（6%）和正常职业活动期间采集的6个样本（12%）在至少一项致突变性检测中呈阳性。在4名暴露工人的样本（8%）以及4名非暴露工人的样本（8%）中检测到二氯联苯胺痕迹，范围为1.6至8.9 ppb。然而，在非暴露期和职业暴露后获得的生物学和分析反应之间未观察到显著差异，不过该组中有5名工人（11%）表现出可能与职业暴露有关的尿液致突变性。
该研究表明，通过对问卷回复的分析揭示并经我们评估证实的一些工业卫生问题无疑可以轻松解决，以改善员工的工作条件。
