Assessment of DNA damage in workers occupationally exposed to pesticide mixtures by the alkaline comet assay

Abstract

The potential genetic hazard of pesticides to human beings is of great concern in occupational and environmental settings because of the widespread use of these chemicals for domestic and industrial applications. Various studies have revealed a significantly elevated risk for particular tumours in humans exposed to some pesticides. Results from the biological monitoring or cytogenetic methods for the detection of health risks to pesticides have given both positive and negative results of mutagenicity. In this study DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes of 33 pesticide-exposed workers employed in the municipality of Ankara (Turkey) for at least 1 year was examined by alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis, the 'comet' technique. Results were compared with those from 33 controls of comparable age, sex and smoking habits, which were not occupationally exposed to pesticides. Work characteristics of the exposed workers and the use of personnel protective measures were also investigated. The DNA damage observed in lymphocytes of the workers was significantly higher than that in the controls ( P<0.001). The observed DNA damage was found to be significantly lower ( P<0.001) in workers applying some of the necessary individual safety protections during their work. Cigarette smoking was not related to increases in DNA damage; also, no significant association was found between the duration of occupational exposure to pesticides and the degree of DNA damage.

Biomonitoring of agricultural workers exposed to pesticide mixtures in Guerrero state, Mexico, with comet assay and micronucleus test

“…Exposed workers presented significantly longer comet tail lengths in exfoliated buccal cells than the non-exposed individuals. Our results agree with those of other authors who have used the comet assay in human lymphocytes to evaluate DNA damage in the biomonitoring of populations occupationally exposed to pesticides and it has demonstrated positive results (Garaj-Vrhovac and Zeljezic 2000Zeljezic and Garaj-Vrhovac 2001;Ünderğer and Başaran 2002;Grover et al 2003;Ascarrunz et al 2006;Castillo-Cadena et al 2006;Remor et al 2009;Paiva et al 2011;Wilhelm et al 2015).…”

Evaluation of DNA damage in agricultural workers exposed to pesticides using single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay

“…These findings are in accordance with the findings of the other workers. [284852] The damage was rather slightly higher (non-significant) in the non-smokers than smokers. Similar findings have been reported by some other authors.…”

“…Several studies have reported less DNA damage in workers who used some kind of protective measures. [4052]…”

Role of Pesticides in Human Life in the Modern Age: A Review

“…neuroblastoma), soft tissue sarcomas (i.e. Ewig's sarcoma), and colorectal and testes carcinomas (Xavier et al, 2004); -Genotoxicity, including DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes (Undeger & Basaran, 2002); -Blood disorders, including leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (Zahm & Ward, 1998;Zahm et al, 1997); -and abnormalities in liver and kidneys, ... Between specific age ranges, infants and children are at great risk from the effects of pesticides.…”