title: Cytogenetic methods for assessing human exposure to toluene in Coimbatore, South India.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to identify genetic alterations occurring in rotograving workers chronically exposed to toluene. A total of 60 samples from 30 exposed subjects and 30 age-matched controls, selected based on the toluene level present in their urine, were recruited. Exposed subjects were categorized based on their duration of exposure and smoking habitats. Controls were normal and healthy and categorized based on their smoking habits. Cell cultures were established from blood samples collected from the control and experimental subjects after obtaining informed consent. G-banding and comet assays were used to identify genetic alterations. A higher degree of total chromosome aberration was identified in exposed subjects compared to controls. As expected, controls exhibited minimal number of alterations. The overall CA frequency due to toluene exposure was significantly different from that of the controls for both chromatid and chromosome type aberrations (P\0.05 by ANOVA). . The habit of cigarette smoking among the workers had a synergistic effect on inducing DNA damage. In conclusion, this work shows a clear genotoxic effect associated with toluene exposure, our results also reinforcing the conclusion of higher sensitivity of cytogenetic assays for the biomonitoring of occupationally exposed populations. There is a strong need to educate those who work with potentially hazardous materials about adverse effects and highlight the importance of using protective measures.
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Human Genetics, Dept. of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India. humangentistmani@gmail.com
authors.forename: Pappuswamy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manikantan
authors.forename: Vellinggiri
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Balachanadar
authors.forename: Keshavarao
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sasikala
authors.forename: Subramanium
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohanadevi
authors.forename: Meyyazhagan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arun
authors.forename: Alagamuthu Karthick
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Shafi Ahammed
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khan Mustaq Ahamed
authors.forename: Balasubramanian Balamurali
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: Shanmugam Suresh
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D004249:DNA Damage; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011379:Prognosis; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014050:Toluene / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D012997:Solvents; D014050:Toluene