Gasoline-station workers in Brazil: Benzene exposure; Genotoxic and immunotoxic effects

Mutat Res. 2021 May;865:503322. doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2021.503322. Epub 2021 Feb 1.ABSTRACTChronic exposure to benzene is a risk factor for hematological malignancies. Gasoline-station workers are exposed to benzene in gasoline, via both inhalation and dermal contact (attendants and managers) or inhalation (workers in the on-site convenience stores and offices). We have studied the exposure of these workers to benzene and the resulting genotoxic and immunotoxic effects. Levels of urinary trans, trans-muconic acid were higher among gasoline-station workers than among office workers with no known exposure to benzene (comparison group). Among the exposed workers, we observed statistically significant biological effects, including elevated DNA damage (comet assay); higher frequencies of micronuclei and nuclear buds (CBMN assay); lower levels of T-helper lymphocytes and naive Th lymphocytes; lower CD4 / CD8 ratio; and higher levels of NK cells and memory Th lymphocytes. Both groups of exposed workers (inhalation and inhalation + dermal routes) showed similar genotoxic and immunotoxic effects.PMID:33865537 | DOI:10.1016/j.mrgentox.2021.503322

Source: Biomed Res - April 18, 2021 Category: Research Authors: Katia Soares da Po ça Isabela Giardini Paula Vieira Baptista Silva Barbara Rodrigues Geraldino Antonella Bellomo Julia Ara újo Alves Taline Ramos Conde Helena Pereira da Silva Zamith Ubirani Barros Otero Fausto Klabund Ferraris Karen Friedrich Marcia Sa Source Type: research