Occupational exposure to nor-nitrogen mustard: chemical and biological monitoring. 1995

H Thulin, and E Sundberg, and K Hansson, and J Cole, and B Hartley-Asp
Pharmacia Helsingborg, Sweden.

Nor-nitrogen mustard is an alkylating agent used in kilogram quantities in the production of various cytostatics. It has been shown to be mutagenic in vitro, and therefore must be regarded as a health hazard. We have studied the environment and blood of a small group of individuals working with nor-nitrogen mustard. New chemical methods for measuring surface contamination were used to make comparisons with ambient air levels of nor-nitrogen mustard. Surprisingly high levels of surface contamination were found even after decontamination, which has led to new decontamination routines and the establishment of wipe test limits of 0.5 microgram nor-nitrogen mustard/dm2. The wipe test has proved effective in following the day-to-day routine handling of nor-nitrogen mustard. Blood samples were taken before, during, and after production runs and analyzed for the frequency of chromosome aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), and somatic (HPRT) mutations. No significant differences in chromosome aberrations, SCEs, or somatic mutations were found in the peripheral blood from production workers before, during, or after handling of nor-nitrogen mustard. Nor was any difference found between the production workers and a local control group. However, the local controls' chromosome and HPRT frequencies appeared to be somewhat high, demonstrating the problems involved in these types of studies, in which the group sizes are small.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009154 Mutation Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations. Mutations
D009588 Nitrogen Mustard Compounds A group of alkylating agents derived from mustard gas, with the sulfur replaced by nitrogen. They were formerly used as toxicants and vesicants, but now function as antineoplastic agents. These compounds are also powerful mutagens, teratogens, immunosuppressants, and carcinogens. Compounds, Nitrogen Mustard,Mustard Compounds, Nitrogen
D001773 Blood Cells The cells found in the body fluid circulating throughout the CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM. Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell,Blood Corpuscle,Cell, Blood,Cells, Blood,Corpuscle, Blood,Corpuscles, Blood
D002869 Chromosome Aberrations Abnormal number or structure of chromosomes. Chromosome aberrations may result in CHROMOSOME DISORDERS. Autosome Abnormalities,Cytogenetic Aberrations,Abnormalities, Autosome,Abnormalities, Chromosomal,Abnormalities, Chromosome,Chromosomal Aberrations,Chromosome Abnormalities,Cytogenetic Abnormalities,Aberration, Chromosomal,Aberration, Chromosome,Aberration, Cytogenetic,Aberrations, Chromosomal,Aberrations, Chromosome,Aberrations, Cytogenetic,Abnormalities, Cytogenetic,Abnormality, Autosome,Abnormality, Chromosomal,Abnormality, Chromosome,Abnormality, Cytogenetic,Autosome Abnormality,Chromosomal Aberration,Chromosomal Abnormalities,Chromosomal Abnormality,Chromosome Aberration,Chromosome Abnormality,Cytogenetic Aberration,Cytogenetic Abnormality
D004784 Environmental Monitoring The monitoring of the level of toxins, chemical pollutants, microbial contaminants, or other harmful substances in the environment (soil, air, and water), workplace, or in the bodies of people and animals present in that environment. Monitoring, Environmental,Environmental Surveillance,Surveillance, Environmental
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000327 Adsorption The adhesion of gases, liquids, or dissolved solids onto a surface. It includes adsorptive phenomena of bacteria and viruses onto surfaces as well. ABSORPTION into the substance may follow but not necessarily. Adsorptions
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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