Human epidermal blister: a convenient tissue for toxicological and genetic studies of benzo(a)pyrene metabolism.

Benzo(a)pyrene (BP) metabolism has been studied in epidermal blisters maintained in a culture medium for 24 h and 48 h. The viability of the cells has been assayed by [3H]proline incorporation into proteins and by [14C]BP metabolism into unconjugated metabolites. A screen of BP metabolism in 19 individuals shows a great variation of basal epidermal activity. Induction of BP metabolism by the application of coal tar 24 h before the epidermal blister sampling, resulted in two- to eight-fold increase in BP metabolism. This induction is not increased when the coal tar application is repeated.