title: Evaluation of genotoxicity and oxidative damage in painters exposed to low levels of toluene.
abstract: Toluene is an organic solvent used in numerous processes and products, including industrial paints. Toluene neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity are well recognized; however, its genotoxicity is still under discussion, and toluene is not classified as a carcinogenic solvent. Using the comet assay and the micronucleus test for detection of possible genotoxic effects of toluene, we monitored industrial painters from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The putative involvement of oxidative stress in genetic damage and the influences of age, smoking, alcohol consumption, and exposure time were also assessed. Although all biomarkers of toluene exposure were below the biological exposure limits, painters presented significantly higher DNA damage (comet assay) than the control group; however, in the micronucleus assay, no significant difference was observed. Painters also showed alterations in hepatic enzymes and albumin levels, as well as oxidative damage, suggesting the involvement of oxidative stress. According to multiple linear regression analysis, blood toluene levels may account for the increased DNA damage in painters. In summary, this study showed that low levels of toluene exposure can cause genetic damage, and this is related to oxidative stress, age, and time of exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Toxicology Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Moro
authors.forename: Natália
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brucker
authors.forename: Mariele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Charão
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bulcão
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.forename: Marília
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baierle
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valentini
authors.forename: Carina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cassini
authors.forename: Mirian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvador
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Linden
authors.forename: Flávia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Thiesen
authors.forename: Andréia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buffon
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moresco
authors.forename: Solange C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Garcia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010150:Paint / Q000633:toxicity*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000032:analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014050:Toluene / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014050:Toluene