Postlabeling and immunoassay analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons--adducts of deoxyribonucleic acid in white blood cells of foundry workers.

Blood samples were obtained from volunteers who were occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a Finnish iron foundry and from referents not known to be occupationally exposed to this class of chemical carcinogens. Aromatic adducts were determined in the deoxyribonucleic acid of white blood cells from the exposed workers with the 32P-postlabeling and immunologic techniques. There was a correlation between the estimated exposure in a particular job and the adduct levels. Jobs of men with high adduct levels (greater than 1 adduct/10(7) nucleotides in the postlabeling assay) included sand preparation, molding, shake-out, and transport. The adduct levels were low in men in pattern making, melting, and fettling. This study suggests that 32P-postlabeling and immunoassay may be useful in monitoring human exposure to known and previously unidentified environmental genotoxic agents.