Application of urine mutagenicity to monitor coal liquefaction workers

The Salmonella/microsomal assay was used to monitor workers' urine for mutagenicity as a potential indicator of human exposure to mutagens/carcinogens. Urine samples from 57 workers at a coal liquefaction pilot plant in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, were assayed for mutagenicity during work periods. Urine samples were collected twice during plant operations and once when the individuals were away from the plant for at least 48 h. In 7 individual smokers (5 operator/maintenance workers and 2 administrative staff workers) there was an indication of enhanced urine mutagenicity during work periods. Urine mutagenicity of nonsmokers from the pilot plant was significantly higher than that of an additional control group of nonsmokers from Lexington, Kentucky. While cigarette smoking was the major factor affecting urine mutagenicity, no significant mutagenicity that could be directly attributed to the pilot plant workers' environment was evident.