Objective: To investigate the effect of benzene exposure on DNA damage of the peripheral white blood cells and to assess the possible dose-response relationship between benzene and DNA damage.
Methods: Personal benzene exposure was sampled with 3M organic vapor monitors. The time weighted average concentration (8h-TWA) and the cumulative dose were calculated. Single cell gel electrophoresis assay was used to detect DNA damage in white blood cells of benzene-exposed workers. The Olive tail moment and the grade of DNA breakage were used to measure DNA damage.
Results: The Olive tail moment and the grade of DNA breakage in benzene exposure groups were significantly increased in comparison with those in the control group (F = 30.03, P < 0.0001, chi2 = 239.9, P < 0.0001, respectively) and showed a dose-response relationship with benzene concentration. Correlation analysis showed that Olive tail moment was correlated with benzene exposure concentration.
Conclusions: Benzene exposure resulted in an increase of DNA damage of the peripheral white blood cell, which was in a dose-response relationship manner; cumulative dose was better than simply concentration to reflect benzene exposure.