Biomonitoring of Genotoxicity and Antioxidant Enzymatic Changes in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Asphalt Fumes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Industrial Hygiene and Air pollution, Occupational Health and Air pollution Department, High Institute of Public Health. Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

2 Immunology Department, Medical research Institute Alexandria University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Asphalt fumes consist of the gases and vapor emitted from the heated asphalt as well as the aerosols and mists resulting from their condensation after volatilization. Moreover, asphalt workers are exposed to variety of asphalted fumes and dusts, which can exert their toxic effects via production of reactive oxygen species. The spectrum of oxidative DNA damage includes strand breaks. Information on genotoxic risk for bitumen workers is limited. Objective: The aim of the present study was biomonitoring of genotoxicity and different antioxidant enzymes activity of workers   occupationally exposed to asphalted fumes. Methods: the study was conducted on fifty male workers employed in asphalted and proofing materials manufacturing. Fifty subjects were recruited as a control group matched for age, sex and socio-economic status. Results: the results of the present study revealed that high significant association in the levels of genotoxicity (DNA single strand breaks and urinary thioethers) and slightly significant reduction in the levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and significant increase in GSH levels in exposed workers in comparison with control group. Moreover, level of Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen dioxide did not exceed the standards Particulate matter which is exceeded the standard limits of indoor air quality. Conclusion: Present data indicate that asphalted fumes exposed workers exhibit an increase in GSH levels and oxidative stress induced by fumes may partly be attributed to the inhibited activities of SOD and CAT as well as increase in the potentials genotoxic risks by increasing the percentage of DNASSB and increase excretion of urinary thioethers.

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