Micronucleus Analysis in Buccal Swabs of Paddy Farmers from the East Coast of Malaysia

Abstract

Pesticide exposure may cause genotoxic effects by inducing the formation of micronucleus (Mn). Mn are fragments of chromosomes that remains after cells division. The increase in Mn may increase the risk of cancer formation. Our study aimed to determine the effects of lifestyle and pesticide exposure on the formation of Mn in epithelial cells from buccal swabs among paddy farmers in Malaysia. About 40 farmers who were exposed to pesticides were chosen as subjects and 30 personnels whose not directly exposed to pesticides, were chosen as the control group. Demographic and anthropometric data were obtained from questionnaires developed. Analysis of Mn formation was done using Giemsa staining (10% v/v) and the frequency of Mn formation was scored from 1000 cells per sample. Kruskal-Wallis test done between Mn frequency with age group showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in Mn frequency in farmers as compared to the control in the age group of 30-39 , 40-49 years, and 50-59 years. Significant increased (p < 0.05) were observed between Mn frequency groups of normal BMI, pre-obese, and grade 1 obese as compared to control. Significant increase of Mn frequency (p < 0.01) was also seen among smokers and farmer's group (15.39 ± 3.34) as compared to controls (4.76 ± 1.26). The maximum numbers of Mn found in farmers are 7 Mn per cell whereas for control group is only 3 Mn. However, most farmers had only 1 Mn (81.75 ± 6.42%) and 2 Mn (15.28 ± 5.14%). Mn frequency with the duration of exposure to pesticides in a month and the use of PPE revealed no significant difference (p = 0.27). In conclusion, the increased frequency of Mn was influenced by age, gender, BMI and smoking status of farmers besides commonly repeated duration of exposures and the use of PPE. Further studies are needed to analyze the causes of an increased in Mn among farmers.

Pembentukan Mikronukleus di Mukosa Bukal akibat Paparan Senyawa Kimia pada Berbagai Macam Pekerjaan

“…Penambang batubara 11 25,83 ± 13,28 Pedagang kaki lima 14 9,40 ± 4,46 Pemanggang kacang 15 5,23 ± 1,41 Petugas SPBU 16 2,50 [1,30] Traffic controller dan supir taksi 17 2,78 ± 0,62 Pemanggang daging 18 18,97 ± 3,77 Mekanik mobil 19 16,89 ± 10,16 Tukang las 20 4,19 ± 3,57 Pendaur ulang sampah elektronik 21 2706 Pekerja konstruksi terowongan 22 2,00 [1,00] Golongan logam (aluminium, besi, kromium, nikel, merkuri, arsen, selenium, kadmium, tembaga, rubidium, bromin) Penambang batubara 11 25,83 ± 13,28 Pekerja pelapisan besi 23 45,00 [20,,00] Tukang las 20 4,19 ± 3,57 Pendaur ulang sampah elektronik 21 2706 Pekerja gudang semen 24 15,00 [13,30] Petani kedelai 25 3,30 ± 2,10 Karbamat dan organofosfat Petani padi 26 15,39 ± 3,34 Petani kedelai 25 3,30 ± 2,10 Petani rumah kaca 27 3,55 ± 2,95 Silika Pekerja marka jalan 28 1,00 [0,78-1,22] Pekerja gudang semen 24 15,00 [13,30] Pekerja konstruksi 29 19,79 ± 3,54 Kelompok BTX (Benzene, Toluene, Xylene) Petugas SPBU 16 2,50 [1,30] Petugas SPBU 30 19,25 ± 0,89 Pengecat mobil 31 12,57 ± 3,43 Petugas SPBU 32 4,65 ± 2,00 Obat-obatan -Sevoflurane, desflurane, isoflurane, N2O…”

“…Selain itu pupuk yang digunakan pada pertanian umumnya juga mengandung senyawa logam, yang juga dapat memicu terbentuknya mikronukleus. [25][26][27][50][51][52][53][54] Tenaga keseahatan juga memiliki risiko terpapar senyawa kimia yang dapat memicu terbentuknya mikronukleus di mukosa bukal. Tenaga kesehatan seperti anestesiologis dan perawat berisiko terpapar berbagai senyawa seperti sevoflurane, desflurane, isoflurane, dan nitrous oksida (N2O) pada gas sisa anestesi yang bersifat genotoksik.…”

“…Perbedaan jumlah mikronukleus tersebut didasari oleh berbagai macam faktor seperti perbedaan perhitungan mikronukleus, usia serta kondisi kesehatan subyek, lama paparan, frekuensi harian paparan, dan/atau penggunaan alat pelindung diri pada subyek yang diteliti. 18,26,30,32 Berdasarkan studi yang dikaji, lama paparan senyawa kimia bermacam-macam, mulai dari 2 tahun hingga 30 tahun kerja. Pekerja dengan durasi pekerjaan yang lama memiliki risiko tinggi terjadinya pembentukan mikronukleus di mukosa pipi rongga mulut.…”