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

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.

The Comet Assay as a Tool in Human Biomonitoring Studies of Environmental and Occupational Exposure to Chemicals—A Systematic Scoping Review

“…Overall, 43 studies (86.0%) used either environmental or biological monitoring of exposure or both. Studies with exposure evaluation by questionnaire (n = 7; 14.0%) [ 96 , 362 , 364 , 370 , 380 , 382 , 383 ] were considered as limited regarding evidence. A significant increase in DNA damage in subjects exposed to solvents, or a positive correlation between DNA damage and exposure markers, was reported in 41 studies (82.0%) [of which 7 were limited based on the exposure evaluation], whereas in 8 studies (16.3%), the authors did not find any effect; in 1 paper (2.0%) a significant decrease in DNA damage was observed in the exposed subjects [ 374 ].…”

Volatile Organic Compounds in Anatomical Pathology Wards: Comparative and Qualitative Assessment of Indoor Airborne Pollution

“…On the contrary, in ward A, the following conditions contributed to the worse air quality as compared to ward B: (a) manual staining with baskets holder slides and trays mounting; (b) the fume hoods used for slide manipulation and inclusion had little depth and were often kept opened because of the large size of the equipment contained (paraffin inclusion unit); (c) inadequate thermal conditioning causing temperatures unsuitable for the laboratories (measured temperature 27 ± 4 °C); these high temperatures further favored VOC volatilization contributing to their dispersion in the air. The inadequacy of the workplaces can contribute to increasing the chemical hazard within the anatomical pathology laboratories as found by a previous study where pathology laboratory technicians inappropriately exposed to organic solvents had developed increased levels of DNA damage [25]. However, for organizational reasons, the two wards were provisionally gathered together in the largest structure, with ward A now including ward B.…”

Solvent-free Organic Reaction Techniques as an Approach for Green Chemistry

“…However, many of these solvents have a negative impact on our ecosystem because they cause ozone layer depletion, and contribute to tropospheric smog formation. In addition to the effect of these solvents on the human health, some of these solvents are neurotoxins, may cause sterility, or may cause cancer, so the utilization of these solvents is not accepted from environmental and health point of view (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6).…”