title: Evaluation of DNA damage in jewellery workers occupationally exposed to nitric oxide.
abstract: Nitric oxide is a metastable radical, reacts with oxygen to produce toxic nitrogen oxides (N(2)O(3), ONOO(-)) which damage DNA. Occupational exposure to nitric oxide leads to increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations in humans. In the present study the DNA damage among the jewellery workers occupationally exposed to nitric oxide was analyzed using buccal cell comet assay. The result of this study shows increased levels of DNA damage among jewellery workers. The habit of cigarette smoking among the jewellery workers has a synergistic effect on inducing DNA damage.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Human Genetics, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil nadu, India.
authors.forename: Rajarajeswaran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jayakumar
authors.forename: Keshavrao
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sasikala