DNA damage in workers occupationally exposed to pesticide mixtures

Abstract

Pesticides are used in agriculture to protect crops but represent at the same time a potential risk to farmers and environment. The aim of this work is the evaluation of 54 subjects occupationally exposed to pesticides and 30 subjects as a control group using the quantification of DNA damage level by means of the alkaline Comet assay and the evaluation of repair processes. Damage index Comet assay (DICA) and damage index repair assay (DIRA) were studied in 27 pesticide applicator workers, 27 non-pesticide applicators and controls. Our results show that both exposed groups revealed significant increase in DICA when compared with controls (P < 0.0001), as well as in DIRA (P < 0.0001). However, the spraying group exhibited a marginally significant difference in DICA (P = 0.05) when years of exposure are considered and a significant difference (P < 0.05) when the personal protective equipment used by individuals was taken as a comparison factor. The influence of confounding factors on the genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to pesticides was investigated and no significant differences were observed considering age, gender, smoking and alcohol consumption in relation to DICA and DIRA. Since DNA damage is an important step in events leading from carcinogen exposure to cancer disease, our study highlights the potential health risk associated with agrochemical exposure in developing countries with vast cultivated areas, such as Argentina.

Chemical composition and biological activity of Allium sativum essential oils against Callosobruchus maculatus

“…Some cytogenetic studies revealed the existence of genetic perturbations related to cancer amongst users of these pesticides. Globally, those studies have shown an elevation in the frequency of damage to the DNA [5], [6], [7] chromosomal deviations (E.G, broken, translocation) [8], [9], [10], [11], existence of micronuclei [12], [13] [14], DNA adducts [15] in peripheral blood lymphocytes and increase in the 8-OH -dG oxidized bases in the plasma [11].…”

Agrochemicals: Horticulture Use Conditions Determine Genotoxic Effects and Oxidative Damage in Rural Populations in Santa Fe, Argentina

“…A minimum of 200 total cells was counted, recording the number of viable cells (V) and nonviable cells (NV). The percentages of each of these cellular states in relation to the total number of cells were obtained (Simoniello et al, 2008).…”

“…One hundred randomly selected Comet assays from each of two duplicate gels were analysed visually on a scale of 0-4 (categories depending on DNA damage level). The overall score, between 100 and 400 arbitrary units, is related to the DNA break frequency and a comet-like image indicates the presence of DNA breaks (Simoniello et al 2008). The Damage Index Comet Assay (DICA) was calculated.…”

“…The remainder of the alkaline Comet assay procedure was performed as previously reported. The Damage Index Repair Assay (DIRA) was calculated (Simoniello et al, 2008).…”

Ensayo De Micronúcleos De Citoma Bucal en Trabajadores De Fincas Frutícolas Que Han Aplicado Plaguicidas Alrededor De Quince Años

“…El daño al material genético ha sido evidenciado en estudios realizados a trabajadores agrícolas de Argentina, de las provincias de Córdoba y Santa Fe, a través de la evaluación de AC (Mañas et al 2009a), MN ) y ensayo cometa (EC) (Simoniello et al 2008). En esas regiones los principales cultivos son los cereales y oleaginosas, los plaguicidas preferidos han sido los insecticidas cipermetrina, clorpirifos y endosulfán, así como los herbicidas glifosato, atrazina y 2,4-D .…”