Abstract
BackgroundDue to increased formaldehyde exposure, carcinogenic to humans, several researches have been studying the potential toxicity and the safe levels for human beings. The aim of this study was to investigate mutagenicity and cytotoxicity in buccal epithelial exfoliated cells (BEC) of students subjected to formaldehyde (FA) during anatomy classes.Material and MethodsBEC were collected periodically from 17 volunteers of undergraduate programs, who had participated in practical anatomy classes, before and after FA exposure. Cells were stained according to Feulgen method and then micronucleus test was applied. A total of 1,500 cells were assessed per individual in this study for the micronucleus frequency and other parameters of cytotoxicity.ResultsThere was statistically significant increase in number of micronucleated BEC after FA exposure (after 1 month p=.034 and after 3.5 months p=.017). However, FA exposure caused no significant increase in other nuclear alterations closely related to cytotoxicity (p≥.05).ConclusionsFA induced mutagenicity during anatomy classes. Cell death increased, but it was not statistically significant. Efforts have to be made to improve air quality and reduce exposures during anatomy classes. Key words:Carcinogens, formaldehyde, micronucleus tests, mutagenicity tests.
Highlights
Formaldehyde (FA) is the most simple and reactive aldehyde
Due to increased exposure, which occurs in factories, hospitals and universities, several researches have been studying the potential toxicity and the safe levels for human beings [6]
Micronucleus test has a well-established protocol that is performed in human peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures
Summary
Formaldehyde is a gas, and due to its high water solubility, aqueous solutions of the reactant can be produced [1] It is a compound with a wide range of industrial applications and is commonly used in anatomy and pathology laboratories as a fixative to preserve anatomical specimens. The focus of previous studies was to analyse the well-recognised cytological abnormalities mentioned above, variables such as exposure time, gas concentration at the time of exposure, and other related factors (for example smoking, alcohol intake, acute infections and severe allergies) still vary greatly among the available references [1,3] This suggests a lack of standardisation and systematisation of the collection and analysis of previous data [14]. The aim of this study was to investigate mutagenicity and cytotoxicity in buccal epithelial exfoliated cells (BEC) of students subjected to formaldehyde (FA) during anatomy classes. Efforts have to be made to improve air quality and reduce exposures during anatomy classes
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