Cytogenetic damage in workers exposed to ethylene oxide

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Toxicology
• Genetics

Background:

• Ethylene oxide (EO) is widely used for sterilizing medical equipment.
• Occupational exposure to EO is a concern due to its potential genotoxicity.
• Monitoring biomarkers of exposure and effect is crucial for worker safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the genotoxic effects of ethylene oxide (EO) exposure in hospital sterilization workers.
• To assess the relationship between EO exposure levels and cytogenetic biomarkers, specifically sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs).
• To evaluate the persistence of these effects after reduced or interrupted exposure.

Main Methods:

• Peripheral lymphocytes from 41 hospital sterilization workers exposed to different levels of EO were analyzed.
• Sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) were quantified.
• Exposed workers were compared to age- and smoking-matched controls.
• A subset of workers was re-analyzed after exposure reduction or cessation.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in SCEs was observed in workers exposed to higher EO concentrations (10.7 ppm) compared to controls.
• A lower, but still significant, increase in SCEs was found in the lower exposure group (0.35 ppm).
• Chromosomal aberrations (both chromatid- and chromosome-type) were significantly elevated in the higher exposure group, and chromosome-type aberrations in the lower exposure group.
• SCE levels decreased in only 2 of 10 re-analyzed subjects after exposure reduction, while CA levels remained largely unchanged.

Conclusions:

• Occupational exposure to ethylene oxide induces significant genotoxic effects, including increased SCEs and CAs.
• The observed genetic damage shows a correlation with the level of EO exposure.
• The persistence of these cytogenetic alterations suggests long-term risks, even after exposure reduction.