Genotoxic effects of some occupational exposures

Abstract EN

Many chemical pollutants in the working environment show genotoxic effects, and can be biologically monitored by detecting somatic cell mutations in human lymphocytes.

This study was carried out to detect the cytogenetic effect of occupational exposure to lead (n = 27), mercury (n = 24) and benzene (n = 20).The assays used were: frequency of micronuclei (MN), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) locus mutation.

The exposed groups to lead, mercury and benzene showed higher levels in the results of the selected tests when compared to the control subjects (n = 30).

The introduction of somatic cell mutation analysis in the periodic medical examination of workers exposed to these pollutants is recommended.