Cytogenetic damage in the buccal cells of photocopying workers in Lahore, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the genotoxic effects associated with workers in relation to the emissions at photocopying centres.

METHODS: This case-control study was conducted at the Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan, from August to November 2015, and comprised photocopying operators and controls. Micronuclei and other nuclear abnormalities in exfoliated buccal cells were analysed. A structured questionnaire was designed and interviews were conducted face-to-face. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate the significance of differences.

RESULTS: Of the 200 participants, there were 100(50%) in each group. There were 24(24%) smokers and 76(76%) non-smokers among the controls compared to 29(29%) smokers and 71(71%) non-smokers among the cases. The mean age was 31.08±10.97 years and 28.19±7.58 years in the controls and the cases, respectively. The frequency of deoxyribonucleic acid damage and cell death parameters was high in photocopying operators compared to the controls (p<0.05). Positive correlation was observed between work span and the frequency of deoxyribonucleic acid damage (r=0.226) and cell death parameters (r=0.115). Smoking was positively associated with the frequencies of deoxyribonucleic acid damage (r=0.65) and cell death parameters (r=0.37). The differences were statistically significant (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: A highly significant difference was observed in deoxyribonucleic acid damage and cell death of workers associated with photocopy profession.