RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the potential aging effect on workers exposed to acrylonitrile (ACN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The deletion rates of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in peripheral blood nucleate cells of 47 exposed workers and 47 non-exposed workers (as control), as well as 12 old people and 12 young people were measured with polymerase chain reaction (PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive rates of mtDNA deletion in peripheral blood nucleate cells were 17.02% in the workers exposed to ACN and 25.00% in group of old people. However, the mtDNA deletion was not detected in the control group and young people.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ACN could induce mtDNA deletion in peripheral blood nucleate cells of the exposed workers. There may be a potential molecular effect of occupational ACN exposure on workers' aging.</p>