Increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations in railroad car painters

Evaluation of genotoxicity, oxidative stress and immune parameters of auto-paint workers

The automotive industry is a very wide area from the manufacturing of the pieces of the engine, the body, plastics to the assembly of the car. There is a chemical risk at different stages of production because of the requirement of the use of many corrosive and irritant chemicals such as paints, adhesives, acids, and bases. The aim of the study was to determine the genotoxicity, oxidative stress and immune parameters of automotive paint workers in Ankara, Türkiye. DNA damage of workers mainly responsible from the painting of the automotives were evaluated using the alkaline comet assay and the levels of some oxidative stress and immune biomarkers were also investigated. Increased lymphocyte DNA damage and also higher 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were observed while decreased glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) levels were found in the workers compared to their controls There were no significant differences between the study groups in the levels of interleukin (IL)- 1beta, IL-17, IL-23, Clara cell secretory protein (CC16), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The results show that occupational exposure to chemicals in automotive industry may cause DNA damage in workers due to oxidative stress.

DNA damage assessment in the lymphocytes of construction painters by comet assay

BACKGROUND

Exposure to chemicals is inevitable for certain occupational groups, particularly in industrial countries. Some cytogenetic tests such as comet assay are effectively utilized to screen genotoxic effects of these chemicals in humans. The purpose of this study has been to assess the DNA damage in construction painters' lymphocytes using the comet assay.

METHODS

Fourteen male construction painters with 1 year of required work experience were randomly selected from the list of Painter Union in Gonabad city, Iran. In addition, 14 healthy male non-painters were randomly selected as controls. The DNA damage degree was determined using a fluorescence microscope and CometScore software. The obtained data were analyzed employing independent t-test using SPSS software v. 14 at the significant level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

All participants were non-smokers and non-alcoholics. No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of age, weight, height, body mass index, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The DNA damage in the painter group was significantly greater than that of the control group. Tail length (µm) was 12.63 ± 6.54 versus 2.90 ± 0.84, tail DNA (%) was 4.33 ± 1.84 versus 1.29 ± 0.43, and tail moment (µm) was 1.85 ± 0.98 versus 0.14 ± 0.20 in painter and control groups ( p < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The chemicals used in oil paint may increase the DNA damage in painter blood lymphocytes.

Occupational risk assessment of paint industry workers

BACKGROUND

Thousands of chemical compounds are used in paint products, like pigments, extenders, binders, additives, and solvents (toluene, xylene, ketones, alcohols, esters, and glycol ethers). Paint manufacture workers are potentially exposed to the chemicals present in paint products although the patterns and levels of exposure to individual agents may differ from those of painters. The aim of the present study was to evaluate genome damage induced in peripheral blood lymphocytes and oral mucosa cells of paint industry workers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Genotoxicity was evaluated using the alkaline Comet assay in blood lymphocytes and oral mucosa cells, and the Micronucleus test in oral mucosa cells. For the micronucleus test in exfoliated buccal cells, no significant difference was detected between the control and paint industry workers.

RESULTS

The Comet assay in epithelia buccal cells showed that the damage index (DI) and damage frequency (DF) observed in the exposed group were significantly higher relative to the control group (P≤0.05). In the same way, the Comet assay data in peripheral blood leukocytes showed that both analysis parameters (DI and DF) were significantly greater than that for the control group (P≤0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic occupational exposure to paints may lead to a slightly increased risk of genetic damage among paint industry workers.

A multi-biomarker analysis of DNA damage in automobile painters

The genotoxic effects associated with automobile painting were analyzed using a panel of biomarkers. Chromosomal aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), and micronuclei were evaluated in 25 car painters (12 smokers, 13 nonsmokers) working in different automobile paint-shops in Italy and in 37 control subjects. The controls were healthy blood donors (14 smokers, 23 non-smokers) that were matched with the experimental population for gender and age. Air samples were analyzed regularly at the work places, and elevated concentrations of benzene and toluene were detected consistently. The exposed group had higher frequencies of CAs (both chromosome- and chromatid-type), micronuclei, and SCE (P < 0.5 - P < 0.001). Furthermore, exposed and control subjects were also genotyped for GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphism. No significant associations were detected between the biomarker responses and either the GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotype of the subjects, but the small sample size does not allow definite conclusions on the relationship between the genetic polymorphism and the biomarkers. The results indicate that automobile painters have increased levels of clastogenic and possible aneugenic damage and that smoking may be a confounding factor for the responses.

Cytogenetic studies on spray painters in south India

Studies on the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations were carried out on 104 spray painters working in automobile body reconditioning, steel furniture making and refrigerator repainting workshops in the metro city, Chennai, of south India. Randomly selected 50 male subjects not connected with this occupation were included as controls in the study. Chromosomal analysis was carried out in 48h lymphocyte (short duration) cultures representing the first mitotic division, on a subset of samples consisting of 50 spray painters, 20 controls and 72h (longer duration) cultures representing the second cell division, on all subjects. Baseline frequency of chromosomal aberrations was significantly higher among painters as compared to matched controls. Smoking and alcoholism as modulating factors had no added effect on the frequency of aberrant metaphases. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis indicated that duration of service and age were significant factors that influence the frequency of chromosomal aberrations observed.

Metal workers and repairmen at risk for prostate cancer: a review

BACKGROUND

The objective is to summarize the results of studies of prostate cancer risk among metal workers, mechanics, and repairmen in order to evaluate the magnitude of risk and to investigate the role of specific work-related hazards in the development of this disease.

METHODS

Review of literature.

RESULTS

In most of the studies reviewed, a slight excess risk of prostate cancer incidence or mortality was observed among metal workers and repairmen. It is as yet unclear, however, whether this excess risk is caused by particular occupational exposures or by risk factors in personal life style (e.g., dietary habits). Hardest evidence is found of a relationship to exist between the use of cutting oils or other metal-work liquids and prostate cancer risk.

CONCLUSIONS

It would appear that metal workers, mechanics, and repairmen run a slightly elevated risk of prostate cancer. However, the actual risk factors are still unknown.