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2066335 
Journal Article 
Testing for Mutagens in an Aluminium Plant. The Results of Salmonella typhimurium Tests on Urine from Exposed Workers 
Krokje, A; Tiltnes, A; Mylius, E; Gullvag, B 
1988 
1 
Mutation Research
ISSN: 0027-5107
EISSN: 1873-135X 
NIOSH/00179336 
204 
2 
163-172 
Mutagenicity studies were made of urine collected from workers in a Soderberg potroom and an anode paste facility (SIC-3399) in the aluminum industry. Workers were assessed based on cigarette smoking habits. Samples were collected within a half hour after the end of the workshift. Tests of benzo(a)pyrene as a model compound showed recovery of 45 percent from Salmonella-typhimurium (TA-98) plus S9, and those with (TA-100) plus S9, 44 percent. Samples were divided into groups: samples from workers in the anode facility were designated A-NS (for nonsmokers) and A-S (for smokers); samples from potroom workers were correspondingly designated P-NS or P-S. Comparison groups were designated C-S or C-NS. For tests on exposed nonsmokers, neither the P-NS concentrate nor the A-NS concentrate demonstrated a mutagenic effect with either Salmonella strain. Bacterial responses for P-NS urine and A-NS urine were compared statistically with C-NS urine and no significant differences were found. Urine from P-S demonstrated positive responses with strain (TA-98) both with and without S9 and with (TA-100) plus S9. P-S and C-S responses were similar. A comparison of P-S to P-NS responses indicated a clear positive effect for smoking. For A-NS, without S9 mix the urine concentrate demonstrated a weak positive concentration effect relationship. In the presence of metabolic activation, a strong increase in (TA-98) response was noted. A-S urine and C-S urine responded similarly. When comparing A-S and A-NS results, the A-S group demonstrated a clear positive effect. Without S9, the response for P-S and A-S groups was similar. With S9 there was a slightly more positive effect for the P-S as opposed to the A-S urine. The authors conclude that smoking increases the mutagenic activity in urine. The direct mutagenic effect of the urine from P-S indicates that substances other than polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are present in the test urines. No effect from occupational exposure is evident from these urine studies, indicating that any mutagenic agents are eliminated from the body via other routes than through renal excretion.