title: Quantification of cell-free DNA for evaluating genotoxic damage from occupational exposure to car paints.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For several years, cell-free DNA has been emerging as an important biomarker for non-invasive diagnostic in a wide range of clinical conditions and diseases. The limited information available on the genotoxic effects associated with occupational exposure to car paints, as well as the fact that up-to-date there are not reports about cell-free DNA measurements for assessing this condition, led us to evaluate the DNA damage caused by the occupational exposure to organic solvents contained in car paints, through the quantification of the cell-free DNA and the comet assay, in a sample of 33 individuals taken from 10 automobile paint shops located in Bogota DC, Colombia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By applying the two methods, cell-free DNA and comet assay, we found a significant increase in the extent of DNA damage in the exposed individuals compared with the non-exposed ones within the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings provide useful information about the cell-free DNA levels in this type of exposure and can be considered as a support tool that contributes to the diagnosis of genotoxic damage in individuals occupationally exposed to car paints.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 26 63B-48, Bogotá, DC Colombia.
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villalba-Campos
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 26 63B-48, Bogotá, DC Colombia.
authors.forename: Sandra Rocío
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Ramírez-Clavijo
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 26 63B-48, Bogotá, DC Colombia.
authors.forename: Magda Carolina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Corredor
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 26 63B-48, Bogotá, DC Colombia.
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rondón-Lagos
authors.affiliation: Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, DC Colombia.
authors.forename: Milcíades
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ibáñez-Pinilla
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, DC Colombia.
authors.forename: Ruth Marien
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.affiliation: Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, DC Colombia.
authors.forename: Marcela Eugenia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Varona-Uribe
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 26 63B-48, Bogotá, DC Colombia.
authors.forename: Lilian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chuaire-Noack
keywords: Car painters; Cell-free DNA; Comet assay; Genotoxicity; Occupational exposure; Organic solvents