Genotoxic risk evaluation of cleaning workers

Abstract

Background and Aim: Cleaning agents are used in large quantities by millions of people throughout the world for disinfection and surface maintenance. Although there is a complex pattern of exposure to cleaning agents and resulting health problems among cleaners, genotoxic risks of cleaners as an occupational group are uncertain. In the present study, possible genotoxic effects of exposing to cleaning agents in peripheral lymphocytes of cleaners were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this study, possible genotoxic risks of cleaning workers were investigated by sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) tests. The frequencies of SCE and CA were determined in peripheral blood samples taken from 32 cleaning workers exposed to cleaning agents and 20 healthy controls as the control group. Cell kinetic parameters of mitotic index (MI) and proliferation index (PI) were also detected for determining the possible cytotoxic effects. Data analysis was perfomed using SPSS (17.0) package program. Results: A significant SCE formation was found in the peripheral blood of cleaners in comparison with the control group (P 0.05). The CA values were correlated with both the working period and the ages of the cleaning workers. No marked differences were detected concerning PI and MI indices between the workers and controls. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that cleaning workers may have weak genotoxic risk due to occupational exposure.