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Biomarkers for assessing occupational exposures to 1,3-butadiene
R J Albertini1, R J Sram, P M Vacek
1Genetic Toxicology Laboratory, University of Vermont, 32 N. Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. ralbertini@mose.uvm.edu
This study assessed biomarkers for occupational 1,3-butadiene (BD) exposure. Hemoglobin adducts (HBVal, THBVal) and urinary metabolites (M1, M2) showed significant correlations with BD levels, with adducts being most sensitive.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine
- Biomarker Discovery and Validation
- Toxicology and Exposure Science
Background:
- Occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene (BD) poses health risks.
- Accurate and sensitive biomarkers are needed to assess low-level BD exposure.
- Previous studies have explored various biomarkers with varying success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the sensitivity of a range of blood and urine biomarkers.
- To identify reliable indicators of low-level occupational 1,3-butadiene (BD) exposure.
- To correlate biomarker levels with measured personal BD exposure.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design involving 24 BD monomer production workers, 34 polymerization workers, and 25 controls.
- Personal 8-h BD exposure measurements over 60 days, along with co-exposures to styrene, toluene, and benzene.
- Analysis of metabolic genotypes, urinary metabolites (M1, M2), hemoglobin adducts (HBVal, THBVal), HPRT mutations, and cytogenetic endpoints (SCEs, CA).
Main Results:
- Urinary M1 and M2 metabolites, and HBVal and THBVal hemoglobin adducts were significantly correlated with BD exposure levels.
- Hemoglobin adducts (HBVal and THBVal) demonstrated the strongest association with BD exposure.
- No significant relationships were found between BD exposure and HPRT mutations or cytogenetic endpoints.
Conclusions:
- Hemoglobin adducts (HBVal, THBVal) are highly sensitive biomarkers for assessing occupational 1,3-butadiene exposure.
- Urinary metabolites (M1, M2) also show promise as indicators of BD exposure.
- HPRT mutations and cytogenetic endpoints are not suitable biomarkers for low-level BD exposure in this study.
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