Urinary mutagenicity as an indicator of occupational exposure in a cohort of cosmetologists

Epidemiological studies suggest a higher risk of hematopoietic disorders in cluding lymphoma among cosmetologists. The etiology of these disorders amon g cosmetologists is unknown, but beauticians are exposed to a wide variety of chemicals in the workplace. In this study, the urinary mutagenicity of c osmetologists was studied as an indicator of occupational exposure. A micro suspension modification of the Ames assay with Salmonella typhimurium strai n TA98 was used to detect direct-acting mutagens and promutagens in urine. A comparable group of leachers of similar age and gender, and living in the same geographic area was used as the control group. There was no elevated risk for urinary mutagenicity among the cosmetologists after controlling fo r a number of confounders including smoking. In a multivariate model, smoki ng regularly or within 24 h of sample collection was found to be positively associated with urinary mutagenicity among both groups. The number of ciga rettes smoked daily, age, and length of employment were not associated with urinary mutagenicity. Analysis of urine samples collected successively fro m each participant showed a fair to good agreement between promutagens in s amples, suggesting a Fairly constant exposure to promutagens.