Mutagenesis, Vol. 18, No. 2, 201-205,
March 2003
© 2003 UK Environmental Mutagen Society/Oxford University Press
Evaluation of genetic damage in workers employed in pesticide production utilizing the Comet assay
Toxicology Unit, Biology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500 007, Andhra Pradesh, India, 1 Deccan College of Medical Sciences and Owaisi Hospital and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India and 2 Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad 500 007, Andhra Pradesh, India
The use of pesticides has been increasing in recent years, resulting in the need for increased production of pesticides. However, some pesticides may represent a hazard to human health, especially by causing cancer. Genotoxicity tests form an important part of cancer research and risk assessment of potential carcinogens. Therefore, in the current study the potential DNA damage associated with exposure to pesticides of Indian pesticide production workers was assessed using the single cell gel electrophoresis assay or Comet assay. Blood leukocytes of a group of 54 pesticide workers and an equal number of control subjects were examined for genotoxicity in this study. The two groups had similar mean ages and smoking prevalences. The mean comet tail length was used to measure DNA damage. The exposed workers had significantly greater mean comet tail lengths than those of controls (mean ± SD 19.17 ± 2.467 versus 8.938 ± 2.889, P < 0.001). Smokers had significantly larger mean tail lengths than non-smokers (19.75 ± 2.52 versus 18.26 ± 2.13, P = 0.024). Analysis of covariance showed that occupational exposure (P < 0.05) and smoking (P < 0.05) had significant effects on mean tail length, whereas age and gender had no effect on DNA damage. The present study suggests that occupational exposure to pesticides and smoking can cause DNA damage. This investigation confirms the sensitivity of the Comet assay.
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +91 40 7193135; Fax: +91 40 7160387; 7160757; Email: grover{at}iict.ap.nic.in
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