DNA adducts in environmental, occupational and life-style studies in human biomonitoring

Abstract

The importance of DNA adducts in carcinogenesis has been discussed. The 32P-postlabelling method was developed as a quantitative technique to measure the level of different DNA adducts including adducts in human DNA. The elevated level of DNA adducts was found in white blood cells in persons exposed environmentally and occupationally to high concentrations of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in the ambient air. Tobacco also generated higher level of DNA adducts both in lymphocytes and laryngeal tissues of smokers. Exposure to styrene has been of interest world-wide because of the very high exposure and persistence of adducts in DNA of lamination workers.