Examination of Exposure to Genotoxic Chemicals in a Printing Plant, Part I: Rotogravure Inks and PAH

Overview

Cytogenetic analysis of peripheral lymphocytes in groups of workers employed in rotogravure printing plants has shownincreased exposure to genotoxic chemicals. The printers were simultaneously exposed to toluene and rotogravure inks. The studyinvestigated, whether the chromosomal aberrations are due to exposure to toluene or rotogravure inks (soot, pigments). The drymatters of all the four basic shades were analyzed for the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by gas chromatography.None of the substances contained polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons known to be carcinogenic. The values of 1-hydroxypyrene inthe urine of 19 printers were not significantly different from values in the control group. All examinations of free 3-hydroxyben-zo(a)pyrene in the urine of exposed and control groups, respectively, were below the limit of detection. The results are in agreementwith the analysis of rotogravure inks and give no indication of a participation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in increasedexposure to genotoxic chemicals in the rotogravure printing.

Key words:
rotogravure printing, rotogravure inks, toluene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, genotoxicityv