Examination of ras oncoproteins in human plasma from healthy controls and workers exposed to petroleum emissions, including benzene-related compounds

Ras oncoproteins in blood plasma from workers exposed to petroleum emission s and unexposed controls were examined from Polish and Estonian samples. Tw enty-four workers and 35 unexposed controls were examined from Poland and 9 7 exposed and 40 unexposed controls from Estonia. Of the Estonian workers, 50 were exposed to benzene in a benzene production plant and 47 to polyarom atic hydrocarbons and benzene in a cokery. Blood plasma proteins were separ ated by gel electrophoresis, transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane by We stern blotting and detected by chemiluminescence using a monoclonal antibod y as the primary antibody. There were no statistically significant differen ces between the exposed and the control groups in either the Polish or the Estonian samples. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.