The study of health effects of vinyl chloride air pollution on population

A series of indicators, including serum lysozyme activity, G-banding chromosome aberration (G-banding CA) analysis, sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), chromosome aberration (CA), T-lymphocyte transformation rate (TcTR), gamma-GT, GPT and AKP, were employed in the present survey among occupationally vinyl chloride (VC) exposed workers and inhabitants living in VC polluted area in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) factory. The results showed that the serum lysozyme (S-LZM) activities in Group 3 (adult inhabitants exposed to 0.20 mg/m3 VC for at least 8 years), Group 2 (workers exposed to 4.1 mg/m3 for at least 7 years occupationally), Group 1 (workers exposed to 25.7 mg/m3 for at least 2 years) were significantly higher than control. G-banding CA analysis showed that the total chromosome breakage rates in both Groups 1 and 2 were higher, but no difference existed between Group 3 and control. Only Group 1 was observed having higher SCEs, CA level and lower TcTR than control. AKP levels in Groups 1 and 2 were higher than control, but no gamm-GT and GPT differences were found among groups. The study also suggests that G-banding CA analysis is more sensitive than CA and SCEs.