[Status of the buccal mucosa in subjects occupationally exposed to chlorophenoxyherbicides]

Examinations of workers engaged in the production of chlorophenoxyherbicides showed high prevalence of diseases of the buccal and labial mucosa with a trend to development of hyperkeratosis (exfoliative cheilitis, hyperkeratosis of the tongue, lips, buccal mucosa (BM), flat form of the BM and red lip leukoplakia). Cytogenetic effects of toxins on BM result in an increase of keratinization level, higher incidence of nuclear abnormalities, and appearance of the micronuclei in BM epithelium. A direct relationship between the severity of these symptoms, duration of exposure, and intensity of workers' contact with chlorophenoxyherbicides was revealed. The complex of noninvasive and atraumatic methods used in our study helped evaluate the BM status and can be used not only for visual examination, but also for the diagnosis of transformation of the defense reaction of the epithelium into pathological process and for preclinical detection of precancer changes in BM.