Assessment of Genotoxicity Among Rubber Industry Workers Occupationally Exposed to Toxic Agents Using Micronucleus Assay

Gem Gemitha; Sellappa Sudha

International Journal of Cancer Management

The Official Journal of Cancer Research Center (CRC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

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Assessment of Genotoxicity Among Rubber Industry Workers Occupationally Exposed to Toxic Agents Using Micronucleus Assay

Author(s):

Gem Gemitha¹,

Sellappa Sudha^1,*

1Dept. of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Karpagam University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India

International Journal of Cancer Management:Vol. 6, issue 2; e80402

Published online:Jun 30, 2013

Article type:Research Article

Received:Sep 07, 2012

Accepted:Dec 20, 2012

How to Cite:Gem GemithaSellappa SudhaAssessment of Genotoxicity Among Rubber Industry Workers Occupationally Exposed to Toxic Agents Using Micronucleus Assay.Int J Cancer Manag.6(2):e80402.

Abstract

Background: Occupational and environmental exposures mostly represent complex mixture of genotoxic agents, however there is a wide variation in the specificity of biomarkers. Exploration of correlations among biomarkers contributes to the further progress of molecular cancer epidemiology and to the selection of the optimal biomarkers for the investigation of human exposure to carcinogens. The aim of this study was to assess the potential cytogenetic damage associated with occupational exposure to toxic agents among rubber industry workers by using Micronucleus (MN) assay.

Methods: In the present study 35 occupationally exposed rubber industry workers and 30 controls were investigated for genetic damage. Both the exposed and control individuals were selected from rural areas of South India. Exfoliated Buccal cells were collected from the study population and examined for the presence of MN.

Results: Rubber industry workers showed a significant increase in micronucleated cells when compared to controls with respect to their smoking and drinking habits (P< 0.05). The present study suggested that occupational exposure to toxic chemicals in rubber industry can cause genetic damage.

Conclusion: MN formation reflects genetic changes and/or events associated with carcinogenesis. Therefore the results of this study indicate that rubber industry workers may be at the risk of cancer. Therefore, it is important to take appropriate measures to protect the workers from occupational hazards.

Keywords

DNA damage

Micronucleus test

Occupational exposure

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