No abstract

The focal aim of this study was to assess the frequency of chromosomal aberrations (CA) including chromatid type aberrations (CTA) and chromosomal type aberrations (CSA), micronucleus (MN) and XRCC1 399 Arg/Gln polymorphism in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 27 petrol pump workers and same number of controls to explore the possible cytogenetic risk on occupational exposure to petrol vapors. The exposed subjects and controls were classified into two groups based on their age (group I < 40 years; group II > 40 years) apart from the classification of the exposed subjects based on their exposure duration (> 8 and < 8 years). CTA and MN frequency were significantly higher in petrol pump workers (p < 0.05) with longer work duration. CTA was found to increase with age in the exposed subjects as well as controls, with exposed subjects showing a statistically higher degree. This effect was not observed in MN. A significantly higher frequency of MN was observed in the smoking petrol pump workers than in control smokers (p < 0.05). No association was found between smoking and CA in both subjects. The study on XRCC1 399 Arg/gln polymorphism in petrol pump workers demonstrated very less difference in allele frequency compared to controls. In conclusion, these datas indicate that petrol pump workers under risk group should be monitored for any long-term adverse effects of the exposure.

No abstract

No abstract

Generally in agriculture farmers use pesticides to increase their yield by reducing crop losses by pests. Some chemical compounds used pesticides are mutagens. Present study evaluated the cytotoxic effect of synthetic pesticide "Attack" which is used instead of "Furadan"on root meristems of Allium cepa L. as a test system. The root meristems of A. cepa L. were treated with five concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) of the chemical pesticide "Attack" for 6 h duration. Exposure to different concentrations of pesticide showed an inhibitory effect on cell division in root tip cells of A. cepa and caused a general decline in Mitotic Index values. Additionally, a wide range of abnormal mitotic stages, were detected in treated cells when compared to control. The total percentage of aberrations generally increased in a dose dependant manner. Among these, frequently observed chromosomal abnormalities were despiralized prophase, disoriented prophase, vagrant prophase, diagonal metaphase, C-metaphase, vagrant metaphase, clumped metaphase, star anaphase, diagonal anaphase, anaphase with two bridges and with multiple bridges, aticky anaphase, telophase stickiness, hyperchromasia, bi-nucleate and 4 nucleate cells and micronucleus. The results of the present study clearly proved the sensitivity of Allium test and hence substantiate its use as a cytogenetic assay to assess the cytogenetic effect of chemical widely used as pesticides. The cytotoxic pesticides have potential to cause adverse environmental and health effects by inducing chromosomal abnormalities leading to mutations.