[Risk of occupational cancers. Effect of deoxyribonucleic acid adducts]

Chemical binding to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is thought to be the critical initiation event in cancer formation. These adducts potentially produce deleterious biological effects if not repaired. Many occupational chemical carcinogens are fairly well correlated with their ability to form adducts with DNA. Ideally, DNA should be directly measured in target tissues, generally internal organs for most mutagens/carcinogens. There is considerable interest however in DNA adduct formation in white blood cells. It is conceivable that the major route of chemical intake that leads to white blood cell DNA adducts in exposed workers may not be inhalation. Oral intake and absorption through the skin may play a major role. 32 P-postlabelling is sensitive enough for the analysis of DNA adducts, but cannot be considered as a routine test. It is a promising method for detecting DNA damage resulting from exposure to complex occupational compounds.