SISTER-CHROMATID EXCHANGE (SCE) AND MICRONUCLEUS (MN) FREQUENCIES IN LYMPHOCYTES OF GASOLINE STATION ATTENDANTS

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 22 men with low average exposure (22 9 mu g/m(3) = 0.72 ppm) to benzene and 19 control men were investigate d for Sister Chromatid Exchange (SCE) frequency. The majority of the m en (21 exposed, 19 controls) were also investigated using the micronuc leus assay (MN). The exposed subjects were employed at 10 different ga s stations in or near the city (Bari/South Italy). SCE frequencies wer e significantly related with age and smoking habits, on the contrary n o relation was observed between SCE and length of employment (SCE = 7. 41 + 0.03.age () + 0.0001.length of employment (n.s.) + 0.03.cigarett e consumption (); F = 4.87; p < 0.01; (k) significant; (n.s.) non-sig nificant). MN frequencies were significantly increased in relation wit h length of employment; but no relation was observed when age and smok ing habits were taken into consideration (regression model: MN = 18.03 + 0.006.age (n.s.) + 0.32.length of employment () - 0.1.cigarette co nsumption (n.s.); F = 4.138; p < 0.05). (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.