INCREASE IN SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGE-RATES IN ASSOCIATION WITH OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO N,N-DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE

The effects of occupational exposure to N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) on sister chromatid exchange (SCE) rates were studied in peripheral lymphocytes from 22 DMF-exposed women (aged 22-52 years) in comparison with 22 sex-, age-, and residence-matched controls. All subjects were nonsmokers and nondrinkers as confirmed by medical interview, The 22 pairs were divided by the intensity of exposure to DMF into 3 subgroups of high-exposed (8 pairs with mean DMF exposure at 5.8 ppm), middle-exposed (5 pairs with DMF at 0.7 ppm in combination with toluene at 0.9 ppm), and low-exposed (9 pairs with DMF at 0.3 ppm). The SCE rates were significantly higher in the high (P < 0.005) and middle (P < 0.01) exposed than in their matched pairs, and the increase was related to the intensity of DMF exposure.