title: Effect of occupational exposure to multiple pesticides on translocation yield and chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes of plant workers.
abstract: Employees handling pesticides are simultaneously exposed to different active substances. Occurring multiple chemical exposures may pose a higher risk than it could be deduced from studies evaluating the effect of a single substance. This study comprised 32 pesticide plantworkers exposed to carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, metalaxyl, and dodine and an equal number of control subjects. Groups were matched by age (43.8 +/- 10.16 vs 41.8 +/- 7.42, respectively), sex (14 females; 18 males), and smoking (11 smokers; 21 nonsmokers). Chromosome aberration and translocation frequencies were determined using a standard aberration assay and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) by applying painting probes for chromosomes 1, 2, and 4. Although significant, an observed increase in chromatid breaks (5.2 +/- 2.49) compared to controls (2.1 +/- 0.87), p(PostHoc) = 0.000001 is biologically irrelevant. Genomic frequency of translocations was also significantly elevated (exposed 0.0165 +/- 0.0070; control 0.0051 +/- 0.0023, P(PostHoc) = 0.000004). The distribution of translocations among chromosomes 1, 2, and 4 did not differ from control subjects. It corresponded to the distribution of DNA content among selected chromosomes indicating randomness of DNA damage. A good translocation yield correlation within years spent in pesticide production indicates that multiple pesticide exposure may pose a risk to genome integrity. However, for more accurate health risk assessments, the use of probes for some other groups of chromosomes should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska 2, Zagreb, Croatia 10000. dzeljezi@imi.hr
authors.forename: Davor
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zeljezic
authors.forename: Ana Lucic
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Vrdoljak
authors.forename: Joe N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Ruzica
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lasan
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fucic
authors.forename: Nevenka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kopjar
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katic
authors.forename: Marin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mladinic
authors.forename: Bozica
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Radic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000187:drug effects*; D020223:Chromosome Painting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000506:poisoning; D014178:Translocation, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides