Occupational exposure to metal fumes occurs routinely in many occupational settings. The inflammatory response to fumes and metals after exposure could lead to an increase in reactive oxygen species and level of DNA damage. In this study, the level of early DNA damage and oxidative stress was evaluated in a group of steel company (n = 30) and compared to the non-exposed (n = 28) subjects. All DNA damage markers in workers were significantly higher in exposed group in comparison with controls (p < 0.001). Stratified analysis based on smoking showed no significant differences between smoking and comet assay parameters. There was no significant difference between workers and controls in terms of HCT, TIBC, iron, and ferreting. However, HB in controls was significantly lower than exposed group (p < 0.001). A significant increase in catalase activity and MDA serum levels were observed in workers in comparison with controls. These findings suggest for the potential genotoxic effect of iron reach dust. Due to recent findings on the predictive potential of comet assay for cancer development, further, researches should be conducted to investigate the possible biochemical mechanism of such finding.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.