Evaluation of possible genotoxic damage in automotive industry workers

A lot of people have been employed in the automotive production sector worldwide and our country. Automotive production consists of many steps, at which there are different levels of exposure to welding fumes, paint, thinner, wood, and sawdust. The automotive paint industry uses hazardous chemicals, especially benzene-derived volatile organic compounds, aliphatic isocyanates, and heavy metals, which may adversely affect workers' health and the environment. Occupational diseases may develop due to these exposures. There are very limited studies evaluating the genotoxicity, oxidative stress and immune parameters of automotive paint workers. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to multiple chemicals on DNA damage, its relationship with oxidative stress, and some immune responses in workers working in the automotive painting field in Ankara. Genotoxicity was evaluated by the single-cell gel electrophoresis technique in the lymphocytes. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione Reductase (GRx) enzymes and glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), which are oxidative stress indicators, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels (an indicator of oxidative DNA damage), and also the levels of TNF-alpha, Clara cell protein (CC16), interleukin-1beta, IL-17, IL-23, and IL-27, which are important inflammatory responses of occupational exposure, were examined spectrophotometrically. DNA damage was significantly higher in workers (n=110) compared to the control group (n=60). GPx, GR, and GSH levels were significantly lower, however, MDA and 8-OHdG levels were significantly higher, in workers compared to the control group. The results show the possibility of immunotoxic and genotoxic risks for automotive industry paint workers. The results need to be supported by more comprehensive studies.