Chromosome aberrations in rotogravure printing plant workers.

Chromosome analysis was carried out in peripheral lymphocytes of 3 groups of workers. In 42 rotogravure printers exposed to rotogravure printing dyes and highly purified toluene at working air concentrations in the range of 104-1170 ppm (390-4380 mg/m3) for 13 years on average, an increased incidence of aberrant cells and chromatid breaks was observed. In 28 office and technical employees of the same plant, more than half of whom worked 2 h daily in the rotogravure workshop, an increased percentage of aberrant cells and chromatid breaks was also found. The difference between the 2 groups working in the printing plant and 32 controls was highly significant. The high incidence of aberrations could be explained by the exposure to toluene, but the influence of rotogravure printing dyes cannot be excluded. Smoking and high air pollution in the urban area were contributing factors in all 3 groups.