Mutagenicity in urine from nurses handling cytostatic agents

A cohort study of 29 nurses who extensively handle cytostatic drugs, 29 controls matched on sex and age, and seven patients under chemotherapy was carried out between 1983 and 1985. In a first study, urinary mutagenicity assays performed with the Ames test towards Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 with and without S9 mix gave an increased mutagenic activity, although not significant, for nurses as compared to controls, after adjustment on smoking habits. The results of mutagenicity assays for patients were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than for non-smoker nurses and non-smoker controls with TA 98 without S9 mix. Of the 29 pairs, complementary assays were performed for non-smokers, that is 11 nurses and 11 matched controls, with TA 98, TA 100 and TA 1535 +/- S9 mix. A significant increase in mutagenic activity (P less than 0.05) was detected for nurses as compared to matched controls towards TA 98 with and without S9 mix. Moreover, the mutagenicity was significantly increased (P less than 0.05) in nurses who handled at least one electrophilic agents as compared to nurses who handled non-electrophilic drugs towards TA 98 with and without S9 mix.