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

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Pesticides are used in agriculture to protect crops, but they pose a potential risk to farmers and environment. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relation between the occupational exposure to various pesticides and the presence of DNA damage.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Blood samples of 210 exposed workers (after a day of intense spraying) and 50 control subjects belonging to various districts of Punjab (India) were evaluated using Comet assay. Sixty workers who showed DNA damage were selected for follow up at 5-6 months after the first sampling during a low or null spraying period.RESULTS:Significant differences were found in DNA damage between freshly exposed workers and controls and freshly exposed and followed up cases. There was significant increase in the comet parameters viz. mean comet tail length and frequency of cells showing migration in exposed workers as compared to controls (72.22 ± 20.76 vs. 46.92 ± 8.17, P<0.001; 31.79 vs. 5.77, P<0.001). In the second samples, followed up cases showed significant decrease in frequency of damaged cells as compared to freshly exposed workers of first sampling (P<0.05). The confounding factors such as variable duration of pesticide exposure, age, smoking, drinking and dietary habits etc which were expected to modulate the damage, were instead found to have no significant effect on DNA fragmentation.CONCLUSION:The evidence of a genetic hazard related to exposure resulting from the intensive use of pesticides stresses the need for educational programs for agricultural workers to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture.

Low prevalence of anti‐xenobiotic antibodies among the occupationally exposed individuals is associated with a high risk of cancer

“…Several studies have correlated the high frequency of cancer in Punjab due to the elevated level of pesticides present in the environmental, as well as human body . High rate of DNA damage was observed among the farmers that were occupationally exposed to pesticides in various districts of Punjab . These genetic defects were observed more in the cotton, paddy, and wheat growers, due to excessive use of pesticides.…”

“…[53][54][55] High rate of DNA damage was observed among the farmers that were occupationally exposed to pesticides in various districts of Punjab. 56 These genetic defects were observed more in the cotton, paddy, and wheat growers, due to excessive use of pesticides.…”

Assessment of DNA damages in lymphocytes of agricultural workers exposed to pesticides by comet assay in a cross-sectional study

“…The comet assay has proven to be a valid predictor of DNA damage due to various types of pesticides in Colombia (Varona-Uribe et al 2016), Brazil (Khayat et al 2013), India (Kaur et al 2011) and Argentina (Simoniello et al 2010), and it has been used for various crops, such as soybean (Benedetti et al 2013), orchards (Kasiotis et al 2012), vineyards (Kvitko et al 2012) and tobacco (Da Silva et al 2012.…”

A train offers hope to Punjab's patients with cancer but it isn't enough

“…3 A study conducted by Punjabi University, Patiala, between 2003 and 2006 found DNA damage in 36% of 210 samples from farmers collected soon after a day of intensive spraying. 4 Confounding factors, including age, smoking status, and diet, showed no correlation, indicating that the damage may have been caused by pesticides alone. The Punjab government started a cancer registry after studies indicated a possible link between the use of pesticides and cancers.…”