Project Summary (1995-2000)

This project is developing and applying biomarkers of exposure to genotoxic chemicals in the environment. Current attention is focused upon exposures to two ubiquitous chemicals, benzene and pentachlorophenol (PCP), which are known or suspected carcinogens. The particular biomarkers include the parent compounds in exhaled air (benzene), and in urine (benzene and PCP) as well as blood protein adducts of various electrophilic metabolites of these substances. The overall aim of the project is to understand the relationship between environmental exposure and the levels of these biomarkers among persons exposed to hazardous wastes.