Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
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Genotoxic Effects on Gas Station Attendants in South-southeastern México due to Prolonged and Chronic Exposure to Gasoline

  • Rebeca I. Martinez-Salinas (Facultad de Ingenieria, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas (UNICACH)) ;
  • Irene Sanchez-Moreno (Departamento de Salud, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR)) ;
  • Juan J. Morales Lopez (Laboratorios Institucionales de El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR)) ;
  • Benito Salvatierra Izaba (Departamento de Salud, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR)) ;
  • Everardo Barba Macias (Departamento de Ciencias de la Sustentabilidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR)) ;
  • Anahi Armas-Tizapantzi (Departamento de Salud, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR)) ;
  • Arturo Torres-Dosal (Departamento de Salud, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR))
  • Received : 2023.04.20
  • Accepted : 2024.02.02
  • Published : 2024.06.30
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Abstract

Background: Gasoline, a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Gasoline station attendants, consistently exposed to its hazardous components, may face genotoxic effects. This study aimed to assess the influence of varying work shift durations on DNA damage in gasoline station attendants. Methods: Ninety individuals from three locations in southern México were studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated, and DNA damage was assessed using the comet assay. Demographic, occupational, and lifestyle data were collected. Statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. Results: Significant differences in DNA damage parameters were observed between exposed and unexposed groups. The impact of tobacco, alcohol, and exercise on DNA damage was negligible. Extended work shifts (12 and 24 hours) showed heightened DNA damage compared to 8-hour shifts and the unexposed group. A novel finding revealed a modest but significant correlation between DNA damage and job seniority. Conclusion: The study highlights the intricate relationship between occupational exposure to gasoline components, DNA damage, and work shift lengths. Extended shifts correlate with heightened genotoxic effects, emphasizing the importance of personalized safety measures. The significant correlation between DNA damage and job seniority introduces occupational longevity as a determinant in the genetic health of gasoline station attendants. This discovery has implications for implementing targeted interventions and preventive strategies to safeguard workers' genetic integrity throughout their years of service. The study calls for further exploration of unconsidered factors in understanding the multifactorial nature of DNA damage in this occupational setting.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia Humanidades y Tecnologia (CONAHCyT) with the Project number 319010 of the National Research and Incidence Projects on polluting processes, toxic damage and their socio-environmental impacts associated with sources of natural and anthropogenic origin. Also, thanks to CONAHCyT for funding the postdoctoral project (2668578).

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