Work environment influence on cytostatics-induced genotoxicity in oncologic nurses

Abstract

The aim of the study was to point out the influence of workplace conditions on chromosomal damage incidence in nurses handling cytostatics. The study comprised two groups of 17 oncologic nurses each and the same number of matched controls. Sister chromatid exchange method (SCE) was used for genotoxicity assessment. In the group of nurses provided with a safe working environment, the SCE-frequency was insignificantly increased when compared to the controls (p > 0.8), although wide SCE-ranges were obtained. By contrast, in the group of nurses provided with neither such an environment nor with the appropriate personal protective equipment, the SCE-frequency was significantly higher, not only compared to the controls (p < 0.001), but also to the first test group (p < 0.001).