[Bogotá paint-industry workers exposure to organic solvents and genotoxic effects].

Objective: Investigating the degree of exposure to organic solvents and related genotoxic consequences in paint-factory workers by using cytogenetic monitoring and determining micronuclei frequency in lymphocytes and DNA damage as assessed by comet assays.

Methodology: Excretion of phenol and hippuric and methylhippuric acids in urine was investigated as biomarkers for benzene, toluene and xylene exposure. Urine samples were taken in two paint-factories in Bogotá and in a non-exposed control group.

[Correlation of protoporphyrin zinc with lead in blood in workers of the car batteries industry in Bogota, Colombia].

Objective: To determine the usefulness of zinc protoporphyrin in blood (PPz) as an indicator of lead exposure in workers of the homemade car battery industry.

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 116 workers of the car battery industry in Bogotá, Colombia. Data on general, occupational, and health variables were collected by interview.