Increased DNA Damage, Instability and Cytokinesis Defects in Occupationally Exposed Car Painters

BACKGROUND/AIM: Car painting is considered an occupational exposure job with high risk for cancer development, due to the association with harmful chemicals and mutagens. This study aimed to profile car painters occupationally exposed and determine its association with DNA damage and genomic instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected a questionnaire and buccal cells of 74 individuals (37 car painters and 37 non-exposed workers) paired by age, alcohol and smoking habits. The number of pyknotic cells, karyolitic cells, karyorrhetic cells, condensed chromatin, binucleated cells, basal cells, differentiated cells (DIFF), micronucleated cells and nuclear buds were evaluated using the Buccal Micronucleus Cytome Assay protocol. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase was observed in all parameters (p<0.05) in the exposed group, but DIFF showed a statistically significant decrease (p<0.001), compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: In association with the poor work environment and lack of personal and collective protective equipment, occupational exposure of car painters leads to high DNA damage, genomic instability and alterations in cellular kinetics.