DNA damage and cytotoxicity in pathology laboratory technicians exposed to organic solvents.

Tatiane De Aquino,Joel H Ellwanger,Daniel Prá,Alexandre Rieger,Fernanda F Zenkner

doi:10.1590/0001-3765201620150194

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate potential DNA damage and cytotoxicity in pathology laboratory technicians exposed to organic solvents, mainly xylene. Peripheral blood and buccal cells samples were collected from 18 technicians occupationally exposed to organic solvents and 11 non-exposed individuals. The technicians were sampled at two moments: Monday and Friday. DNA damage and cytotoxicity were evaluated using the Comet Assay and the Buccal Micronucleus Cytome assay. Fifteen subjects (83.5%) of the exposed group to solvents complained about some symptom probably related to contact with vapours of organic solvents. DNA damage in the exposed group to solvents was nearly 2-fold higher on Friday than on Monday, and in both moments the individuals of this group showed higher levels of DNA damage in relation to controls. No statistical difference was detected in buccal cell micronucleus frequency between the laboratory technicians and the control group. However, in the analysis performed on Friday, technicians presented higher frequency (about 3-fold) of karyolytic and apoptotic-like cells (karyorrhectic and pyknotic) in relation to control group. Considering the damage frequency and the working time, a positive correlation was found in the exposed group to solvents (r=0.468; p=0.05). The results suggest that pathology laboratory workers inappropriately exposed to organic solvents have increased levels of DNA damage.

Highlights

In recent years, the increased use of petroleumbased products in automobiles and industry has led to important impacts on the environment and human health, mainly caused by the use of volatile organicConsidering the extensive use of volatile organic solvents in industry and the fact that there are thousands of workers daily exposed worldwide, it is necessary to assess the chronic exposure to these chemicals
The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential DNA damage and the cytotoxicity in pathology laboratory technicians occupationally exposed to organic solvents, mainly xylene
While some technicians mentioned handling xylene directly, others mentioned remaining in the same room where xylene was being used

Summary

Introduction

The increased use of petroleumbased products in automobiles and industry has led to important impacts on the environment and human health, mainly caused by the use of volatile organic. Considering the extensive use of volatile organic solvents in industry and the fact that there are thousands of workers daily exposed worldwide, it is necessary to assess the chronic exposure to these chemicals. A relevant group to assess long term occupational risk is pathology laboratory technicians. These individual are chronically exposed to xylene that is one of the most used solvents in pathology laboratories as a clearing agent to prepare tissues for microscopic analysis. Skin contact with xylene can cause urticarial, dryness and scaling of the affected area, and skin erythema (Rajan and Malathi 2014)

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Conclusion