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Occupational exposure to aromatic amines is believed to be a risk factor for bladder cancer due to altered DNA-damage in urinary epithelial cells. Many aromatic amines are known human bladder carcinogens, e.g. 4-aminobiphenyl (4-AFB). Hairdressing work has been classified as probably carcinogenic to humans (IARC group 2A). Today, it is unknown whether exposure to carcinogenic aromatic amines exists in hairdressing work.
Methods
We are conducting a cross-sectional study including 300 hairdressers, 30 consumers and 60 controls. All study subjects are non-smoking women. Exposure to aromatic amines is assessed by measuring hemoglobin (Hb) adducts in peripheral blood from the study subjects, with randomized and blinded analytical series. Hb-adducts are determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) for the following compounds (pg/g Hb): o-, m-, p-toluidine, 2,3-dimethylaniline [DMA], 2,4-DMA, 2,5-DMA, 2,6-DMA, 3,4-DMA, 3,5-DMA, 2-ethylaniline [EA], 3-EA, 4-EA, 3-aminobiphenyl [ABF] and 4-ABF. Effect is monitored as DNA-damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes (Comet assay) and urinary epithelial cells (micronuclei).
Results
We are currently determining Hb-adduct levels. The preliminary results, based on 100 samples, indicate exposure levels ranging from below the detection limit to 300 pg/g Hb depending on compound, but with maximum levels up to 4000 pg/g Hb for some compounds. All samples will be analyzed and evaluated this autumn.
Discussion
This is the first study, which has biomonitored exposure to carcinogenic aromatic amines among hairdressers. We will select hairdressers identified as having high Hb-adduct levels for further analyses with repeated measurements of Hb-adducts and markers of DNA-damage, as part of an intervention-trial. The methods used in this project will be evaluated as tools for exposure monitoring, e.g. Hb-adducts, and early effect monitoring, e.g. DNA-damage. Follow up of intervention will lead to improved basis for risk management.