Evaluation of DNA damage in construction-site workers occupationally exposed to welding fumes and solvent-based paints in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, the comet assay was used to evaluate whether welding fume and solvent base paint exposure led to DNA damage in construction-site workers in Turkey. The workers (n = 52) were selected according to their exposure in the construction site and controls (n = 26) from the general population, with no history of occupational exposure. The alkaline comet assay, a standard method for assessing genotoxicity, has been applied in peripheral lymphocytes of all subjects. The mean percentages of DNA in tail (%DNA(T)) of each group were evaluated, including the comparisons between smokers in each different group and the duration of exposure. Significant increase in the mean %DNA(T) (p < 0.01) was observed in all exposed subjects (12.34 ± 2.05) when compared with controls (6.64 ± 1.43). Also %DNA(T) was significantly high (p < 0.01) in welders (13.59 ± 1.89) compared with painters (11.10 ± 1.35). There was a statistical meaningful difference in % DNA(T) between control and exposed smokers. Our findings indicate that exposure to welding fumes and paints induce genotoxic effect in peripheral lymphocytes, indicating a potential health risk for workers. Therefore, to ensure maximum occupational safety, biomonitoring is of great value for assessing the risk for construction workers.

Dna damage in gasoline station workers caused by occupational exposure to petrol vapour in turkey

“…Although the exposed subjects who worked less than five years or between 5-20 years had elevated DNA damage, no significant increase in DNA damage was observed in workers exposed for more than twenty years. However, Sardas et al (2010) supports our observation by indicating the relation between the DNA damage and DNA repair 19 .…”

“…Significant DNA damage can result from occupational exposure. The level of exposure depends on shift length, job rotation, individual precautions and workplace conditions 19 .…”

Evaluación del daño oxidativo y por metilación del ADN de pintores expuestos ocupacionalmente a solventes orgánicos y pinturas

“…En cuanto al tiempo de exposición, no se encontró una asociación significativa (p>0,05) entre este factor (determinado en años) y los diferentes tipos de daño del ADN (oxidativo y por metilación) en los linfocitos de los pintores de automóviles, resultados que coinciden con los obtenidos en algunos estudios consultados 40 , 43 , aunque en otros se ha señalado que, cuanto mayor es el tiempo de exposición ocupacional a solventes orgánicos y pinturas, mayor es la expresión acumulada del daño en el ADN estimado mediante el ensayo cometa 2 , 42 , 44 ).…”

Risk Perception and Risk Communication for Training Women Apprentice Welders: A Challenge for Public Health Nursing

“…It also presents the development of a nursing socioenvironmental intervention as a tool for risk communication for health education of women apprentice welders. In different countries, for example, Nigeria [ 1 ], Sri Lanka [ 2 ], France [ 3 ], Denmark [ 4 ], Turkey [ 5 ], and Brazil [ 6 ], the issue involving the health and safety of welders is being discussed.…”