Genotoxic Effects on buccal Cells of Workers Exposed to Fogging Sprays during Fogging Operation by Normah Awang in BJSTR
Abstract
Background: Genetic damage is one of the most fundamental
causes of structural and functional changes in DNA. There are a great
number
of physical, chemical, and biological agents that, either directly or
indirectly, damage the integrity of this macromolecule. Genetic damage
may
be caused by environmental exposure to genotoxins, radiations,
chemicals, micronutrient deficiency, lifestyle factors, and genetic
factors.
Methodology: Analysis of micronucleus in buccal cells is used
to study the genotoxic effect on workers exposed to fogging sprays
during
fogging operation. In this study, buccal cells from 31 fogging workers
and 24 office workers were collected. The former was the exposed group,
while the latter was the control group. The respondents were also
required to answer a questionnaire. DNA damage was scored by counting
the frequency of micronucleus per 1,000 cells for each sample. Scoring
was done by observing the formation of micronuclei after staining using
acridine orange.
Results: The result showed that the frequency of micronucleus
in the fogging workers was significantly higher than the office workers.
Other factors affecting the formation of micronuclei, such as age,
smoking status, and years of pesticide exposure, was also investigated
in this
study. The results proved that there was a significant difference in the
frequency of micronucleus among the workers who smoked and workers
who did not smoke in the exposed group. In contrast, there were no
significant differences for the factors namely age and years of
pesticide
exposure. There was also a weak positive correlation between working
period (years) with the frequency of micronucleus, with r2 = 0.387,
p<0.05. Multiple linear regression test also suggested that smoking
status and years of pesticide exposure can be the significant predictors
for
the frequency of micronucleus (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The genotoxic effect that occurs in fogging workers should be further assessed to improve their health and to maintain the
safety at the workplace.
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