Chronic Occupational Exposure to Chemical Mixtures Induces Genomic Instability in Paint Workers
Servet Birgin İritaş1, Merve Güdül Bacanlı2, Gökçe Taner3
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, 06800 Ankara, Türkiye.
Toxics
|September 27, 2025
Summary
Automotive paint workers exposed to chemicals show increased DNA damage and cytogenetic abnormalities. Occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, and solvents poses significant genotoxic risks.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Toxicology
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
Background:
- Automotive paint workers face complex occupational exposures.
- Exposure involves volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, and solvents.
- Potential for genotoxic effects necessitates investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate genotoxic effects in automotive paint workers.
- To assess DNA damage and cytogenetic abnormalities.
- To correlate exposure biomarkers with health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Collected biological samples (blood, urine, buccal cells) from 80 exposed workers and 80 controls.
- Assessed DNA damage using the alkaline COMET assay in lymphocytes and whole blood.
- Employed the Buccal Micronucleus Cytome (BMCyt) assay for cytogenetic abnormalities and measured biomarkers (TCA, HA, phenol, lead).
Main Results:
- Significantly increased DNA damage observed in lymphocytes and whole blood of exposed workers (p < 0.05).
- Higher frequencies of micronuclei and other cytogenetic abnormalities in buccal cells of exposed workers (p < 0.05).
- Elevated urinary and blood biomarkers confirmed systemic chemical exposure, correlating positively with DNA damage.
Conclusions:
- Chronic occupational exposure in automotive paint workers leads to significant genotoxicity.
- Biomonitoring of exposure biomarkers is crucial for assessing risk.
- Implementation of robust safety measures and health surveillance is vital for this occupational group.
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