engleski

Cytogenetic monitoring of Croatian population of workers employed in pesticide production

This paper describes a longitudinal study of possible genetic damage in Croatian workers occupationally exposed to a complex mixture of pesticides. The methods of choice were chromosomal aberration analysis, sister chromatid exchange analysis (SCE), micronucleus assay and comet assay. In order to determine primary genotoxic effects in workers, blood samples were taken after the workers spent 8 months in production of pesticides. During the production all subjects were simultaneously exposed to a complex mixture of pesticides containing atrazine, alachlor, 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and malathion. To detect DNA repair in lymphocytes of the same subjects the second series of blood samples was taken 8 months after the workers were removed from production. Regardless of the sampling time, the exposed workers showed an increased number of chromosomal aberrations, SCE frequency, micronucleus frequency, and values of comet assay parameters. After 8 months of non-exposure the workers showed a significantly decreased number of chromosomal aberrations, MN frequency, and DNA migration compared to the results of the first sampling, but it was still significantly higher than in controls. Furthermore, the SCE frequency in the exposed subjects did not drop after 8 months of non-expossure, which indicates long-term exposure to a mixture of pesticides.

chromosomal aberrations; micronucleus assay; comet assay; sister chromatid exchanges; pesticides; occupational exposure

doi:10.1016/S0378-4274(01)00425-8