Urine mutagenicity and lymphocyte DNA damage in fruit growers occupationally exposed to the fungicide captan

Abstract

Aims: To determine haematological parameters, urine mutagenicity (on three Salmonella typhimurium strains), and DNA damage (using the comet assay) in mononuclear leucocytes of farmers before and after a one-day spraying period of pear and apple trees with the fungicide captan in usual conditions. Methods: Fruit growers were exposed to captan during the 1998 (n = 12) and/or the 2000 spraying seasons (n = 17). Biological samples were collected on the morning of the day of spraying (S1), the evening after spraying (S2), and the morning of the day after (S3). The UK Predictive Operator Exposure Model (UK-POEM) was used to quantify pesticide exposure intensity. Results: No effect was observed on haematological parameters for these two spraying seasons. Proportions of mutagenic urine samples did not significantly differ between S1 and S2/S3 sampling points. In contrast with strains TA97a and YG1041 mainly sensitive to frameshift mutations, a positive trend was observed between the difference (S3-S1) of mutagenic power on strain TA102 detecting basepair mutations and the exposure predicted value given by UK-POEM, mainly due to parameters related to protective clothing. No significant variations in DNA damage levels were observed between S1 and S3, nor were correlations observed with parameters of pesticide exposure. Conclusions: A one-day spraying period with captan and other pesticides does not significantly induce DNA damages in mononuclear leucocytes. In contrast, an inefficient protective clothing could correlate with an increase in urine mutagenicity as assessed by the TA102 tester strain.

Cell Cycle Modulation by Marek’s Disease Virus: The Tegument Protein VP22 Triggers S-Phase Arrest and DNA Damage in Proliferating Cells

“…After sorting, 2.10 5 cells were used to prepare 3 slides for comet assays, realized as previously described with minor modifications [52]. Electrophoresis was performed at 0.7 volts/cm for 26 min with the Sub-cell GT agarose gel electrophoresis system (Bio-Rad).…”

Agricultural pesticide use and risk of t(14;18)-defined subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

“…25,26,28,29,31 Although most pesticides are thought to be nongenotoxic, 32 some pesticides have been shown to cause cytogenetic damage in laboratory assays, animal studies, or in humans. [33][34][35][36][37] Alternatively, pesticides may cause a second or later hit in lymphoid cells with the t(14;18), which ultimately leads to the occurrence of NHL. The t(14;18) joins the BCL2 gene on chromosome 18 to the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene on chromosome 14, resulting in an inhibition of programmed cell death through overexpression of the BCL2 gene.…”

Cancer incidence among pesticide applicators exposed to captan in the Agricultural Health Study

“…A small study evaluating the mutagenicity of post-exposure farmers' urine yielded inconclusive results [11]. An ecologic study suggested an increased risk of leukemia among Hispanic males and prostate cancer among black males in California counties where captan was used [12].…”