Assessment of the Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Effects of Turpentine in Painters

Abstract

Turpentine is a fluid used mainly as a solvent for thinning oil-based paints, obtained by distilling the resin of coniferous trees. Fine art painters use turpentine on a daily basis. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic effect of turpentine and to determine the lymphocyte proliferation index in the peripheral blood of individuals occupationally exposed to turpentine. For this purpose, the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) was used to determine the total number of micronuclei (MNi), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPB), and nuclear buds (NBUD), as well as the cell proliferation index (CBPI) in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of the subjects. Twenty-two subjects exposed to turpentine daily through their work participated in the study and were compared to twenty subjects in the control group. The results showed a significant increase in the number of micronuclei and other genotoxicity parameters, as well as significant cytotoxicity based on CBPI values. In addition, the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of turpentine were found to be time-dependent, i.e., the deleterious effects of turpentine on genetic material increase with prolonged exposure. These results strongly suggest that exposure to turpentine vapors may affect genome stability and that occupational safety measures should be taken when using turpentine.

Genotoxicity of Formaldehyde: Effect of Whole-Body Exposure on Polychromatic Erythrocyte/Normochromatic Erythrocyte Ratio in Male and Female Rats

“…The strength of this study is that it is among the first few to establish the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity due to FA WBE with sex- and time-based comparison through quantification using MN test in bone marrow cells which is indirectly indicative of the toxic effects on the reproductive system. In the future, determining the genotoxic effect of FA can be strengthened by studying parameters such as nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds [ 49 ].…”

The Application of Clinoptilolite as the Green Catalyst in the Solvent-Free Oxidation of α-Pinene with Oxygen

“…The main natural source of α-pinene is turpentine, which is obtained by the steam distillation of the resin of coniferous trees, mainly pine [33], but also cedar and larch. In addition to α-pinene (content about 75-85%), turpentine contains the following compounds: limonene (5-15%), β-pinene (0-3%), and also camphene, carene, terpinolene, and myrcene [33][34][35][36]. The composition of turpentine depends on the type of pine trees and the geographic area where the pine grows [35,36].…”

“…The source of α-pinene is also sulfate turpentine, which is obtained as a waste in the Kraft process during the processing of cellulose into paper [33,36,37]. α-Pinene is extracted from the waste turpentine by vacuum rectification (content of α-pinene amounts to about 70%) [34,35].…”