2013•Archives of Environmental & Occupational HealthRequires access

Evaluation of DNA Damage Using 3 Comet Assay Parameters in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Lead

Zeliha Kayaaltı, İlknur Yavuz, Esma Söylemez, Ayşegül Bacaksız, Engın Tutkun, Ahmet Sayal, Tülın Söylemezoğlu

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between DNA damage and blood lead levels in individuals occupationally exposed to lead. To evaluate this association, 61 workers exposed to lead were monitored in terms of DNA damage in blood lymphocytes. The levels of DNA damage were measured according to 3 comet assay parameters, including tail intensity (TI), tail moment (TM), and DNA tail (DNAt). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the lead levels and TI, TM, and DNAt (p < .01). Smoking had independent effects on DNA damage. A statistically significant difference was observed between smokers and nonsmokers in regards to DNA damage parameters (p < .05). In addition, the lead and DNA damage levels in smokers were found to be significantly higher than the levels observed in nonsmoking workers (p < . 05). Our results show that exposure to lead induces genotoxic effects in peripheral lymphocytes, as measured by comet assays.

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Key concepts: Comet assay, DNA damage, Lead (geology), DNA, Toxicology, Occupational exposure, Peripheral blood, Molecular biology