Assessment of occupational cytogenetic risk, among petrol station workers

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2010 Aug;85(2):121-4. doi: 10.1007/s00128-010-0068-z. Epub 2010 Jul 21.

Abstract

The focal aim of this study was to assess the frequency of chromosomal aberrations (CA) including chromatid type aberrations (CTA) and chromosomal type aberrations (CSA), micronucleus (MN) and XRCC1 399 Arg/Gln polymorphism in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 27 petrol pump workers and same number of controls to explore the possible cytogenetic risk on occupational exposure to petrol vapors. The exposed subjects and controls were classified into two groups based on their age (group I < 40 years; group II > 40 years) apart from the classification of the exposed subjects based on their exposure duration (> 8 and < 8 years). CTA and MN frequency were significantly higher in petrol pump workers (p < 0.05) with longer work duration. CTA was found to increase with age in the exposed subjects as well as controls, with exposed subjects showing a statistically higher degree. This effect was not observed in MN. A significantly higher frequency of MN was observed in the smoking petrol pump workers than in control smokers (p < 0.05). No association was found between smoking and CA in both subjects. The study on XRCC1 399 Arg/gln polymorphism in petrol pump workers demonstrated very less difference in allele frequency compared to controls. In conclusion, these datas indicate that petrol pump workers under risk group should be monitored for any long-term adverse effects of the exposure.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromosome Aberrations / chemically induced*
  • DNA / drug effects
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Female
  • Gasoline / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Micronucleus Tests
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Occupational Health
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sister Chromatid Exchange / drug effects*
  • Smoking
  • X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Gasoline
  • X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1
  • XRCC1 protein, human
  • DNA