title: Evaluation of DNA damage in construction-site workers occupationally exposed to welding fumes and solvent-based paints in Turkey.
abstract: In this study, the comet assay was used to evaluate whether welding fume and solvent base paint exposure led to DNA damage in construction-site workers in Turkey. The workers (n = 52) were selected according to their exposure in the construction site and controls (n = 26) from the general population, with no history of occupational exposure. The alkaline comet assay, a standard method for assessing genotoxicity, has been applied in peripheral lymphocytes of all subjects. The mean percentages of DNA in tail (%DNA(T)) of each group were evaluated, including the comparisons between smokers in each different group and the duration of exposure. Significant increase in the mean %DNA(T) (p < 0.01) was observed in all exposed subjects (12.34 ± 2.05) when compared with controls (6.64 ± 1.43). Also %DNA(T) was significantly high (p < 0.01) in welders (13.59 ± 1.89) compared with painters (11.10 ± 1.35). There was a statistical meaningful difference in % DNA(T) between control and exposed smokers. Our findings indicate that exposure to welding fumes and paints induce genotoxic effect in peripheral lymphocytes, indicating a potential health risk for workers. Therefore, to ensure maximum occupational safety, biomonitoring is of great value for assessing the risk for construction workers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. semrasardas@gmail.com
authors.forename: Semra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sardas
authors.forename: Gulden Z
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Omurtag
authors.forename: Ayfer
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tozan
authors.forename: Hulya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gül
authors.forename: Diren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beyoglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D005739:Gas Poisoning / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010150:Paint / Q000506:poisoning*; D012907:Smoking; D012997:Solvents / Q000506:poisoning; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014421:Turkey; D014896:Welding
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents