Aromatic Amines and Human Urinary Bladder Cancer: Exposure Sources and Epidemiology

Abstract

Human exposure to aromatic amines has long been associated with an elevated risk of urinary bladder cancer. Nonetheless, use of these materials has continued due to their industrial and commercial value. Commercial value, chemical reactivity and biological effect are closely linked, making it difficult to select materials that are commercially useful and safe. The chemical structure of carcinogenic aromatic amines is discussed in this paper along with some past and current sources of exposure and the overall epidemiological data supporting the carcinogenicity of these materials. The low dose effects of aromatic amines in tobacco smoke are considered. In addition, the possibility that such widely used commercial products as hair dyes may be related to urinary bladder cancer in humans is reviewed. Research questions either now being currently addressed or may potentially be addressed by the application of biomarkers to human aromatic amine exposure assessment are highlighted.

This is the first of a series of two reviews on Aromatic Amines and Human Urinary Bladder Cancer. The second review, focusing on biomarker issues, will be published in the next issue of this journal

Keywords:

• Aromatic amines
• Tobacco smoke
• Human
• Urinary bladder cancer
• Hair dyes
• Occupational exposure
• N-Acetyltransferase

Notes

This is the first of a series of two reviews on Aromatic Amines and Human Urinary Bladder Cancer. The second review, focusing on biomarker issues, will be published in the next issue of this journal