Novel biomarkers for the prediction of health consequences from occupational exposure to benzene in 12 versus 8 h work shifts

There has recently been reported an increased risk of blood derived malignancies among Norwegian offshore workers. This could indicate that the exposure to carcinogenic benzene has been higher than published for this industry, or that the increased risk f or these malignancies can be found at lower levels of exposure than previously assumed, especially in genetically susceptible individuals. Further, Norwegian offshore workers have a nominal 12-hr work shifts 7 days a week for two consecutive weeks. It is at present not known what impact this shift schedule has on the workers health. Undetermined impact of the extended work schedule, the increased risk of hematological malignancies at low exposure levels, and the individual susceptibility indicate that n ew tools for health surveillance are needed to afford full safety for all employees. At present no satisfactory surveillance system for benzene exposed workers exists. The present application provide a basis for developing and validating new biological ma rkers of early response in persons exposed to benzene which is relevant and predictive for its toxic effect in its target organ (blood) prior to the development of a malignancy. This includes short-lived and sensitive biomarkers of cellular toxicity, like tumor suppressor p53 and phosphoprotein signalling networks. Peripheral mononuclear blood cells will be analyzed and correlated to measured benzene exposure levels. This will allow personalized response profiles without the need for determination of gene tic make up of workers. New biological markers reflecting an individuals biological response to environmental exposures, measuring perturbations in intracellular communication systems that are highly relevant in slowly developing diseases like cancer, wil l bring occupational health surveillance closer to biological mechanisms for disease.