Abstract
Approximately 5 million workers are estimated to be occupationally exposed to welding fumes worldwide. Nickel and chromium are genotoxic metals found in welding fumes, therefore welders are exposed to these metals at the workplace. The objective of the present study was to investigate the frequency of cytotoxic and genetic damage in cells harvested from the oral mucosa of welders and also from a group of workers not exposed to metallic fumes. A total of 44 individuals, divided into 2 groups - welders and non-welders - were compared using the micronucleus assay technique and cell death (pyknosis, karyorrhexis and karyolysis) on buccal mucosa cells of welding workers. The examined cells were stained with Feulgen/Fast Green. Results: Welders exhibited higher frequency (p<0.05) of cytotoxicity than the group of volunteers not exposed to metallic fumes. The results of this preliminary study suggest that the frequency of cytotoxic damage in buccal mucosa cells might be higher among welders compared to non-welders.
Highlights
About 5 million workers are exposed to welding fumes[1] at the workplace. Such workers might be exposed to chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) contained in welding fumes[2]
Cr (VI) is found in welding procedures[7]; it gives rise to intermediate forms in cells involving Fenton’s reaction, with consequent generation of free radicals through the interaction of water metabolites with metals, which might favor the occurrence of structural DNA damage, such as strand breaks, chromosomal aberrations and crosslinking, as well as signaling cells to death[8,9,10]
Low-cost, easy obtainment of samples through a minimally invasive procedure and investigation of DNA damage and cell death in the epithelium make it interesting, as 90% of neoplasms are originated in the epithelium[17]
Summary
About 5 million workers are exposed to welding fumes[1] at the workplace. Such workers might be exposed to chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) contained in welding fumes[2]. The effects of metals such as Ni and Cr (VI) can be direct or indirect The former involve enzyme inhibition, chelation of vital elements and binding to protein sulfhydryl groups. Indirect effects commonly involve activation of the NF-κB, AP-1 and P53 signaling pathways and oxidative biomolecule damage[6]. Cr (VI) is found in welding procedures[7]; it gives rise to intermediate forms in cells involving Fenton’s reaction, with consequent generation of free radicals through the interaction of water metabolites with metals, which might favor the occurrence of structural DNA damage, such as strand breaks, chromosomal aberrations and crosslinking, as well as signaling cells to death[8,9,10]
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