Region II of Chile is the most important copper mining area in the world and it shows the highest lung cancer mortality rate in the country (35/100,000). The population in Antofagasta, the main city of Region II, was exposed from 1958 to 1970 to 860 microg m(-3) arsenic (As) in drinking water and has currently been declining to 40 microg m(-3). Glutathione serves as a reducing agent and glutathione S-transferase (GST) may have an important role in As methylation capacity and body retention. In the current study, the null genotype of GSTM1 and the MspI polymorphism of CYP450 1A1 were investigated in lung cancer patients and in healthy volunteers of Region II. In males, the 2A genotype of MspI represented a highly significant estimated relative lung cancer risk (OR=2.60). Relative lung cancer risk for the combined 2A/null GSTM1 genotypes was 2.51, which increased with the smoking habit (OR=2.98). In Region II, the cancer mortality rate for As-associated cancers at least partly might be related to differences in As biotransformation. Genetic biomarkers such as 2A and GSTM1 polymorphisms in addition to DR70 as screening biomarkers might provide relevant information to identify individuals with a high risk for lung cancer as prevention and protection actions to protect public health.