Biological effects in a chemical factory with mutagenic exposure. II. Analysis of unscheduled DNA synthesis and adenosine diphosphate ribosyl transferase, epoxide hydrolase, and glutathione transferase in resting mononuclear leukocytes.

A chemical plant, where an increased number of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and myelomas had been observed, was monitored for genotoxic effects occurring in peripheral mononuclear leukocyte samples from 76 exposed workers. Biochemical markers sensitive to DNA repair and drug metabolism were used as the indicators of genotoxic risk. Unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) and covalent binding induced by N-acetoxy-N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene (NA-AAF) and constitutive and gamma ray induced adenosine diphosphate ribosyl transferase (ADPRT) activities were highly and significantly elevated over the corresponding values for a control group of 48 postal workers. Microsomal and soluble epoxide hydrolases and glutathione transferase activities directed towards trans-stilbene oxide and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene were not significantly altered in the exposed group. The exposure in this factory was complex, involving over 100 chemicals including several well known carcinogens. However, no apparent significant associations to exposure could be established.