title: Evaluation of DNA damage in flight personnel by Comet assay.
abstract: There have been some suggestions that air-crew are at a higher-than-normal risk of developing cancer, since they are exposed to potential genotoxic factors. These include cosmic radiations, airborne pollutants such as the combustion products of jet propulsion, ozone, and electromagnetic fields. We used the Comet assay to investigate DNA damage in flight personnel with the aim of assessing potential health hazards in this occupational category. We studied 40 civil air-crew members who had been flying long-haul routes for at least 5 years, and compared them with a homogeneous control group of 40 healthy male ground staff. The Comet assay, or single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), detects DNA single- and double-strand breaks (DSBs) and alkali-labile lesions in individual cells, and is a powerful and sensitive technique for detecting genetic damage induced by different genotoxic agents. Taking into consideration occupational risk and possible confounding factors, this assay showed a small increase, that did not reach statistical significance, of DNA damage in long-haul crew members compared to controls, indicating a lack of evident genotoxic effects. An association, although again not statistically significant, was found between reduced DNA damage and use of protective drugs (antioxidants).
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine, ISPESL-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Prevention, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monteporzio Catone, 00040 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cavallo
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tomao
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marinaccio
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Perniconi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Setini
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palmi
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iavicoli
mesh_terms: D000401:Aircraft; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001359:Aviation; D020552:Comet Assay; D003359:Cosmic Radiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004247:DNA / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009502:Neutrons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D004247:DNA