engleski

Incidence of micronuclei in the peripheral blood lymphocytes in workers employed by atrazine production

The micronucleic assay is widely used in mutagenicity testing because it is quick and easy. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the incidence of micronuclei in workers occupationally exposed to atrazine, a herbicide widely used for the control of broadleaf weeds. The potential hazard for occupational exposure to atrazine has been a topic for many years, but little is known about the occupational health risk after exposure. Our research was performed on 20 workers employed by atrazine production and control subjects. The incidence of micronuclei was analysed by micronucleus assay in 72 hours lymphocyte cultures. 44 hours after the culture initiation cytochalasine B was added at a concetration of 3g/ml. The results showed that long time occupational exposure to atrazine caused an increase in the number and distribution of micronuclei in binuclear lymphocytes. In the group of exposed subjects the number of micronuclei is increased (range from 7 to 17) compared to the control group. On the basis of our results we can conclude that long time occupational exposure to atrazine may represent a potential hazard to human health due to its interaction with DNA.

micronucleus assay; atrazine; occupational exposure; human lymphocytes

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