Cytogenetic analysis using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to evaluate occupational exposure to carcinogens

Chromosomal aberrations determined by conventional method or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique with whole chromosome painting are used as biomarkers of effect. Groups occupationally exposed to 1,3-butadiene (BD), acrylonitrile, ethyl benzene and benzene in petrochemical industry, and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) from ambient air were followed by conventional method and FISH painting for chromosomes # 1 and # 4, in total 383 subjects, including controls. No effect was observed by either method with exposure to 1,3-butadiene < 1mg/m(3) and acrylonitrile < 0.3mg/m(3). Ethyl benzene and benzene exposure significantly increased chromosomal aberrations by both methods, which decreased after the implementation of preventive measures. The genomic frequency of translocations by FISH calculated as FG/100 was significantly increased in city policemen versus control group exposed to c-PAHs from ambient air (1.72+/-1.57 versus 1.25+/-1.11, P<0.05). The method of FISH with whole chromosome painting seems to be more sensitive to detect chromosomal injury by occupational exposure to carcinogens than conventional method.