title: Evaluation of DNA damage using 3 comet assay parameters in workers occupationally exposed to lead.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between DNA damage and blood lead levels in individuals occupationally exposed to lead. To evaluate this association, 61 workers exposed to lead were monitored in terms of DNA damage in blood lymphocytes. The levels of DNA damage were measured according to 3 comet assay parameters, including tail intensity (TI), tail moment (TM), and DNA tail (DNAt). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the lead levels and TI, TM, and DNAt (p < .01). Smoking had independent effects on DNA damage. A statistically significant difference was observed between smokers and nonsmokers in regards to DNA damage parameters (p < .05). In addition, the lead and DNA damage levels in smokers were found to be significantly higher than the levels observed in nonsmoking workers (p < . 05). Our results show that exposure to lead induces genotoxic effects in peripheral lymphocytes, as measured by comet assays.
authors: a Institute of Forensic Sciences, Ankara University , Ankara , Turkey.
authors: Zelıha
authors: Z
authors: Kayaaltı
authors: İlknur
authors: İ
authors: Yavuz
authors: Esma
authors: E
authors: Söylemez
authors: Ayşegül
authors: A
authors: Bacaksız
authors: Engın
authors: E
authors: Tutkun
authors: Ahmet
authors: A
authors: Sayal
authors: Tülın
authors: T
authors: Söylemezoğlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007854:Lead
keywords: DNA damage; cigarette smoking; comet assay; lead; occupational exposure