Biomonitoring Study on Workers Occupationally Exposed to Automobile Fuels

Genotoxic risk in occupational exposure to petrol and its amelioration by vitamin C and vitamin E

Petrol contains mixture of mutagens and carcinogens which have potential health risk after prolonged occupational exposure. We have compared genotoxicity and its amelioration in blood samples from 70 petrol pump attendants, working in congested area of the Ahmedabad city, India and similar number (n = 70) of Control samples from office workers dwelling in less polluted areas of the city. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay showed highly significant frequencies of micronucleus in Exposed than in the Controls. The sister chromatid exchanges were also significantly increased while the cell cycle proliferative index was significantly decreased in the Exposed individuals than the Controls. Addition of standardized doses of vitamin C and vitamin E in the lymphocyte cultures (in vitro) significantly improved all the biomarkers. The long-term occupational petrol exposure causes genotoxic effects and use of vitamins C and E for protection should be further explored in randomized controlled studies.

Mitochondrial DNA copy number and cytogenetic damage among fuel filling station attendants

Fuel filling attendants are constantly exposed to the complex mixture of gasoline and all refinery environments are probably carcinogenic for humans. These workers are considered as an unorganized group in India and unaware of the risk. The present study was focused to monitor workplace pollutants (particulate matter size 10 [PM10 μm], total volatile organic compound [VOC], and carbon monoxide [CO]), benzene exposure (phenol), and to evaluate their genotoxicity effect with reference to relative mitochondrial DNA copy number (MtDNAcn), 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine), and micronuclei (MN) frequency (%) among fuel filling attendants. This study recorded 318 ± 134 and 1,050 ± 260 μg/m³ time-weighted average concentration of PM10 and CO, respectively. However, total VOC levels recorded were below the detectable level (BDL) to 290 ± 50 μg/m³ . A total of 53 subjects (26 exposed and 27 control) participated in this study with similar sociodemographic information. It was noticed that fuel filling attendants were not using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and are younger generation. The significantly (p = <.001) higher level of phenol, a metabolite of benzene, was detected in the exposed group. The significantly elevated level of urinary 8-OHdG (p = .01), MN frequency (p = .001), and relative MtDNAcn (p = .001) was observed in exposed group as compared to the control group. The study exemplify that workers were exposed to the benzene, workplace pollutant, and observed genotoxicity suggest malignancy risk. This study highlights the importance of biomonitoring in occupational settings to avoid malignancies. The possible engineering controls, frequent health check-ups, awareness about the risks, and PPE use can reduce health hazards.

Genotoxic Effects of Exposure to Gasoline Fumes on Petrol Pump Workers

Background:

Petrol pump workers are occupationally exposed to gasoline and its fumes consisting of several mutagenic chemicals.

Objective:

To evaluate the genotoxic effects of exposure to gasoline fumes on petrol pump workers.

Methods:

The study groups included 70 petrol pump workers (exposed group) and 70 healthy age-matched individuals with no known exposure (comparison group). Buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMCyt) was performed to check the genotoxicity caused due to inhalation of gasoline fumes.

Results:

The frequencies of micronucleated cells, nuclear bud, condensed chromatin cells, karyorrhectic cells, pyknotic cells, and karyolytic cells were significantly higher in the exposed workers compared to the comparison group.

Conclusion:

Exposure to gasoline fumes is associated with increased frequency of cell abnormalities. This may lead to various health consequences including cancer in those occupationally exposed to gasoline fumes.