Assessment of genotoxicity in female agricultural workers exposed to pesticides

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to determine the genotoxic effect of exposure to a mixture of pesticides in 106 female agricultural workers employed in cotton fields from India.

Methods: Comet, micronucleus and chromosomal aberrations tests were carried out in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Micronucleus test was also performed in buccal epithelial cells. Levels of antioxidant enzymes, RBC acetylcholinesterase and hematological parameters were analyzed in the blood samples of the study subjects.

Results: The results indicated significant DNA damage, increased frequency of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations in the exposed subjects (p < 0.05). The levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly lowered and the rate of lipid peroxidation was elevated in the exposed subjects.

Conclusion: The outcome of the study revealed an increased risk of genotoxicity and health implications in female agricultural workers.

Keywords:

• Pesticide exposure
• genetic damage
• cotton farming
• female agricultural workers
• oxidative stress

Acknowledgements

The authors express their sincere thanks to The Director, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad for providing facilities and encouragement during the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Funding

This work was funded by Sidhu Singh Foundation, USA. The authors Srinivas Chinde (ICMR-SRF), Bhanu Ramya M (UGC-SRF) and Naresh Dumala (CSIR-JRF) thank the funding agencies for the financial support through research fellowships.