Biomarkers of carcinogenesis in humans exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The frequencies of micronuclei (MN) in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes of 91 steel foundry workers were analysed. On the basis of ambient PAH levels at the work stands and 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in the urine, the coke-oven workers were the most exposed as compared to the rollers reference group. The difference in results for the two groups studied was not statistically significant, although MN were slightly higher for coke-oven workers. The frequency of MN did not increase with exposure: after some increase in 1-10 years, a decreasing tendency was observed.