[Genotoxic effects of insecticides in current use on mucosal epithelial cells from human tonsil tissue]

Vector control is of critical medical importance in disease prevention, as reflected in sections 17 and 18 of the German Protection Against Infection Act. In the past, a large number of biocides were found to be hazardous to human health and were banned from the market, subsequently being replaced by new active ingredients and galenic forms. Many of these new insecticides are available in spray or nebuliser form. Whether these preparations have genotoxic effects on mucosal epithelial cells of the upper aerodigestive tract has thus far not been investigated.

We used the comet assay, as a well-established genotoxicity test, to investigate whether malathion, diazinon, pyridostigmine bromide, piperonyl butoxide, silafluofen, and fipronil had genotoxic effects on tonsil specimens taken from 85 patients.

All substances tested proved to have a strong genotoxic effect on mucosal epithelial cells taken from human tonsil tissue. We found clear differences between substance groups.

Sufficient doses of a wide range of insecticides are indispensable in many areas of human life, especially for the prevention of diseases. Depending on the method of application, however, ingestion or inhalation of these substances can damage mucosal epithelial cells of the upper aerodigestive tract. Further epidemiological studies should be undertaken to investigate whether this involves potential health hazards in at-risk populations.