DNA damage in workers exposed to mineral oils

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Toxicology
• Genetics

Background:

• Mineral oils in metalworking fluids (MWFs) are classified as potential carcinogens by IARC.
• Limited toxicology data exists on the carcinogenic mechanisms of MWFs.
• This study investigates systemic effects and genotoxicity of MWF exposure in machining workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the systemic effects of occupational exposure to MWFs in machining workers.
• To investigate the potential genotoxicity of mineral oil exposure using the comet assay.
• To correlate DNA damage with exposure duration and levels.

Main Methods:

• Occupational exposure to mineral oil mist measured using NIOSH 5026 method.
• Genotoxicity assessed via comet assay on peripheral blood cells.
• Statistical analysis including multiple logistic regression for exposure-related DNA damage.

Main Results:

• Time-weighted average exposure to mineral oil mist was 7.67 ± 3.21 mg/m³.
• Exposed workers exhibited significantly higher tail length (TL) and olive moment (OM) (p < 0.05).
• Odds ratios for DNA damage markers increased with over 10 years of exposure, particularly tail moment (2.71).

Conclusions:

• Occupational exposure to MWFs is associated with significant DNA damage (strand breaks) in machining workers.
• Genotoxicity is linked to prolonged exposure duration.
• Further research is needed to understand the role of by-products and impurities in mineral oil genotoxicity.