Determination of mitotic index in peripheral lymphocytes of welders exposure to metal arc welding fumes

The gas metal arc welding is a widely used method for a lot of industrial areas as a cheap and qualified weld supply. In this study, peripheral blood lymphocytes of 23 welders and 25 non-exposed subjects were monitored for cytotoxicity. The informations regarding the subject's age, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, duration of exposure and medicine usage were recorded. According to the research results, mitotic index, replication index and micronucleus rates of the welders were quite higher than non-exposed subjects. This increase is significant as statistically in mitotic index and micronucleus (P < 0.05). In generally, the rates of mitotic index, replication index and micronucleus were increased accompanied by the increasing of exposure time to metal arc welding fumes and smoking. While replication index rates were decreasing accompanied by the increasing of the age, micronucleus rates were increased. It was observed that there was a positive correlation between mitotic index frequency and age at welders and there was a negative correlation between mitotic index frequency and age at non-exposed subjects. According to obtained results it should instructed welders who work with gas metal arc welding because of risk caused metal arc welding fumes and taken protective measures.