DNA adducts and personal air monitoring of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an environmentally exposed population.

The effect of personal exposure to air pollution on DNA adducts in humans was analyzed in a group (n = 30) of women working outdoors (up to 8 h/day) as postal workers or gardeners in the city of Teplice, Czech Republic (Northern Bohemia), where winter inversions may result in high levels of air pollution from coal combustion. Ten of these women were followed up during the next winter season by repeated personal exposure monitoring and analysis of the DNA adducts in their white blood cells (in four sampling periods). Personal exposure monitoring for respirable particles (< 2.5 microns) was conducted for the 24 h period prior to collection of blood and urine. Particle extracts were analyzed for carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Urine samples were collected for cotinine analysis to control for exposure to tobacco smoke. DNA isolated from white blood cells was analyzed by 32P-postlabeling with the butanol enrichment procedure. There were 21 non-smokers and nine light smokers in the pilot study (November 1992) and only non-smokers in the follow-up study (winter season 1993/94). In both studies high personal exposure variability between the individuals sampled on the same day was observed. In the pilot study we found a significantly higher (P < 0.05) level of DNA adducts in the 14 non-smoking women sampled on November 24, when their exposure to carcinogenic PAH was also significantly higher (P < 0.05), compared with seven non-smoking women sampled on November 26. We also found a significant correlation (r = 0.541, P < 0.016) between individual exposure to carcinogenic PAH and DNA adducts for the group of non-smokers (n = 21). No significant difference in DNA adduct levels was found between non-smokers and smokers. In the follow-up study, during one sampling period the ambient and personal air monitors exhibited a significantly elevated exposure to respirable particles and carcinogenic PAH. Analyzing data from the follow-up study, a significant effect of personal exposure on DNA adduct levels and their relationship with short-term exposure to carcinogenic PAH was found. The results suggest that DNA adduct levels in white blood cells reflect a short-term environmental exposure.