OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of micronucleus test of buccal mucosal cells in monitoring the genetic effect of acrylonitrile in the population exposed to the acrylonitrile.

METHODSForty-one healthy male workers in a chemical factory in Shanghai were selected as the low concentration acrylonitrile exposed group while forty-seven healthy male workers in an acrylonitrile factory in Shanghai were selected as the intermediate concentration acrylonitrile exposed group. At the same time, thirty-one male workers who had no toxicant exposure and lived in the same community were selected as the control group. The micronucleus test in buccal mucosal cells and lymphocytes were used respectively for assessing the genetic damage status of these men.

RESULTSThe rate of micronucleus in buccal mucosal cells in both acrylonitrile groups (the low concentration group: 3.68% +/- 2.72%; the intermediate concentration group: 4.00% +/- 2.38%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (2.03% +/- 2.20%) (P < 0.05). The rate of micronucleus in the intermediate concentration group (4.23% +/- 3.34%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (2.48% +/- 1.46%) (P < 0.05). There was the correlation between the micronucleus test of buccal mucosal cells and the micronucleus test of the lymphocytes in the peripheral blood in the acrylonitrile exposed population (r = 0.299-0.359, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe micronucleus test of buccal mucosal cells replacing the micronucleus test of the lymphocytes in the peripheral blood can be used as one of the screening indexes in the surveillance of the genetic damage in the acrylonitrile exposed population.