DNA damage in nurses handling antineoplastic agents.

In 91 nurses from several divisions of four hospitals in Germany the genotoxic effect caused by the occupational exposure presumably due to mixing of antineoplastic agents was investigated. The amount of DNA single strand breaks and alkali labile sites in the peripheral mononuclear blood cells of the nurses was measured using the alkaline elution method. In ten nurses handling antineoplastic agents not using recommended safety precautions such as safety hoods, gloves or surgical masks a 50% higher level of DNA strand breaks and alkali-labile sites (p < 0.

Genotoxic risk for humans due to work place exposure to ethylene oxide: remarkable individual differences in susceptibility.

Single strand breaks of DNA of peripheral mononuclear blood cells from 97 male and female workers occupationally exposed to ethylene oxide were analysed by the alkaline elution method. These individuals were occupied with the sterilization of medical devices in hospitals and in commercial plants. Ethylene oxide in the air of the working areas was detected up to a maximal concentration of 16.

Diagnostic tests in enzyme allergy.

Background: Allergies to enzymes occur frequently in enzyme manufacturing plants. In epidemiologic studies the number of exposed subjects with symptoms is considerably higher than the number of sensitizations as assessed by skin tests or RAST. It was the aim of this study to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of skin prick tests, enzyme allergosorbent test, and immunoprint with enzymes by using the results of bronchial provocation tests as the "gold standard.