Examples of molecular biomarkers measured in occupational health
| Molecular biomarkers | Application | Study population |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure marker | ||
| PAH-DNA adduct | Workplace and community exposures and exposure to cigarette smoke, and risk of lung cancer | Foundry workers Coke oven workers General community in industrial areas |
| Early effect markers | ||
| p53 tumour suppressor gene or its protein product | Specific fingerprint mutation in certain gene codon and risk of liver, breast, lung, and oesophageal cancer | Radon exposed miners, vinyl chloride monomer workers General population with environmental exposure to aflatoxin B1 |
| H-ras and K-ras gene or its protein product | Increased risk of various cancers, e.g. lung, liver, and bladder | Firefighters, hazardous waste workers, foundry workers, vinyl chloride monomer workers |
| Host susceptibility markers | ||
| CYP1A1 polymorphism | Increased risk of lung cancer with exposure to benzo[a]pyrene | Foundry workers |
| NAT2 polymorphism | Increased risk of bladder cancer | Workers exposed to arylamine and hydrazine |