Biomarkers of carcinogenesis in humans exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The frequencies of micronuclei (MN) in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes of 9 1 steel foundry workers were analysed. On the basis of ambient PAH levels a t the work stands and l-hydroxypyrene concentrations in the urine, the coke -oven workers were the most exposed as compared to the rollers reference gr oup. The difference in results for the two groups studied was nor statistic ally significant, although MN were slightly higher for coke-oven workers. T he frequency of MN did not increase with exposure: after some increase in 1 -10 years, a decreasing tendency was observed. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.