Monitoring of DNA damage in foundry and pottery workers exposed to silica by the alkaline comet assay.
BACKGROUND
Workers in foundry and pottery are exposed to a mixture of chemicals and silica, which is suspected to cause genetic alterations.


METHODS
To investigate the potential hazard associated with the occupational exposure to silica, DNA damage in the peripheral lymphocytes of 30 foundry and 22 pottery workers were examined by the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis or Comet Assay, and compared to 52 healthy subjects with no history of occupational silica or chemical exposure.


RESULTS
The DNA damage observed in the lymphocytes of both foundry and pottery workers was significantly higher than that in their controls. Cigarette smoking was also related to DNA damage since the DNA damage observed in smoking silica-exposed workers compared with the non-smoking workers was significantly higher.


CONCLUSIONS
Occupational exposure of silica from foundry and pottery workplaces has been associated with the increased DNA damage and smoking which represents an additional risk factor and must be avoided.
Başaran
Nurşen
N
Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. nbasaram@hacettepe.edu.tr
Shubair
Mohammed
M
Undeğer
Ulkü
U
Kars
Ayşe
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002516:Ceramics; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000506:poisoning*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey
D012822:Silicon Dioxide