Genotoxic effects of occupational exposure measured in lymphocytes of waste-incinerator workers

Workers of solid-waste incinerators are exposed to a variety of pollutants such as dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals. It has been shown that the emissions and the fly ash produced by incineration have mutagenic properties. To our knowledge, no studies have been conducted in which genotoxic effects were investigated in exposed workers. Therefore, we monitored DNA damage by means of the single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and micronucleus (MN) assays in lymphocytes of individuals (n=23) who were temporarily (1-11 months) conducting maintenance works of an incinerator and in unexposed controls (n=19). Additionally, we measured the urinary concentrations of selected metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, As) with atomic absorption resonance. We found no differences in the levels of DNA migration and in the MN frequencies between different exposure groups and controls. Likewise, we also failed to find differences in the metal concentrations. Taken together, our results indicate that incinerator workers at the site investigated here have no increased health risks due to DNA damage.