Association of Telomere Length With Chromosomal Damage Among Chinese Workers Exposed to Vinyl Chloride Monomer

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between relative telomere length (RTL) and chromosomal damage represented by micronucleus (MN) frequencies among vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) -exposed workers. METHODS: A group of 126 VCM-exposed workers, 60 internal controls, and 25 external controls were examined for RTL by Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and MN frequencies by cytokinesis-block micronucleus test. Cumulative exposure dose was used to estimate the exposure of VCM-exposed workers. RESULTS: The RTL were significantly shorter in exposed workers and internal controls than in external controls. The exposed workers had significantly increased MN frequencies than both control groups. Additionally, MN frequencies were negatively associated with RTL in VCM-exposed group. CONCLUSIONS: VCM exposure may alter telomere length, which could be a potential biomarker of susceptibility to chromosomal damage.