RISK FOR OCCUPATIONAL CANCERS - EFFECT OF DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC-ACID ADDUCTS

Chemical binding to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is thought to be the c ritical initiation event in cancer formation. These adducts potentiall y produce deleterious biological effects if not repaired. Many occupat ional chemical carcinogens are fairly well correlated with their abili ty to form adducts with DNA. Ideally, DNA should be directly measured in target tissues, generally internal organs for most mutagens/carcino gens. There is considerable interest however in DNA adduct formation i n white blood cells. It is conceivable that the major route of chemica l intake that leads to white blood cell DNA adducts in exposed workers may not be inhalation. Oral intake and absorption through the shin ma y play a major role. 32 P-postlabelling is sensitive enough for the an alysis 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.