OBJECTIVETo develop bioluminescence method to measure DNA adducts in human peripheral lymphocytes and study the factors that affect the level of DNA adduct, in order to use it in studying the relationship between water pollution and human DNA adduct levels.

METHODThe measurement of DNA adduct in peripheral lymphocytes was carried out in 234 normal persons, and the relationship between DNA adducts levels and age, smoking and eating habit etc. was analyzed.

RESULTS(1) The level of DNA adduct in males was higher than that in females, but without significance (P > 0.05); (2) The level of DNA adduct was significantly correlated with age, smoking, tea drinking, eating habit and alcohol drinking. Among them, age plus smoking were the most important factors affected the DNA adduct levels (P < 0.01). The level of DNA adduct increased with age. The more cigarette smoked, the higher was the level of DNA adduct.

CONCLUSIONThe level of DNA adduct is affected by many factors, so it needs further research to apply it in the biomonitoring and risk assessment of environment chemicals.