Genotoxic risk and oxidative DNA damage in workers exposed to antimony trioxide

Abstract

The growing use of antimony (Sb) compounds in industry and the consequent increase in the number of exposed workers make it important to carry out a health risk assessment. The main goal of this study was to assess the genotoxicity of Sb(2)O(3) in occupationally exposed workers. Genotoxicity was evaluated by the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus tests, and the enzyme (Fpg)-modified comet assay. In addition, antimony exposure levels were established by environmental monitoring with personal air samplers. We studied 23 male workers assigned to different fire retardant treatment tasks in the car upholstery industry and a control group of 23 healthy nonexposed males. The exposed workers were divided into two groups on the basis of their tasks and the work cycle: Group A comprised finishing and intermediate inspection operators who directly handled a mixture containing Sb(2)O(3); Group B were jet operators, not directly exposed to the compound. Environmental monitoring detected low Sb exposure levels but significant differences between the two groups, with Group A having the higher exposure level. Cytogenetic analyses showed no difference between exposed workers and controls for micronuclei and SCE. The enzyme-modified comet assay showed a probable relation between moderate levels of oxidative DNA damage and exposure to antimony, with a significantly higher proportion of workers in Group A having oxidative DNA damage compared to controls. The results support the theory that oxidative DNA damage is involved in the genotoxicity of antimony and indicate the need for further research in this field.

Genotoxicity Studies of Heavy Metals: Lead, Bismuth, Indium, Silver and Antimony

“…However, there have been few studies attempting to clarify the mechanism of antimony. With regard to humans, Cavallo et al showed that oxidative DNA damage might be involved in the genotoxicity of antimony in a study including 23 male workers who handled materials containing antimony 16) . In addition, antimony trioxide was classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), but antimony trisulfide was not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3) by IARC 17) , based on animal experiments.…”

Health Survey on Workers and Residents Near the Municipal Waste and Industrial Waste Incinerators in Korea.

“…The association of MDA as biomarker of lipid peroxidation and PCDD/Fs were significant, because PCDD/Fs are lipid soluble. Oxidative damage may inhibit cell-mediated immunity toward infectious agents, exacerbate respiratory allergy, cause DNA damage, and under longterm exposure, induce the development of tumors [41][42][43][44][45] .…”

Mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of antimony species in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) and their comparison with arsenic species

“…This exposure can generate toxic health effects, which has been observed in other cases of human exposure to Sb, such as kidney, lung and skin damage (Roper WL. U.S. Public Health Service, 1992;Cavallo et al, 2002). The indiscriminate use of Sb drugs against leishmaniasis has similar adverse effects and causes cardiotoxicity and pancreatitis (Croft et al, 2006;Oliveira et al, 2011;Sundar and Chakravarty, 2010).…”