Clastogenic effect of pesticides in peripheral lymphocytes of cotton-field workers

• Published in: Mutation Research (Netherlands) Vol. 261; no. 3; pp. 177 - 180
• Main Authors: Rupa, D.S., Reddy, P.P., Reddi, O.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.11.1991
• Subjects: ABERRACION CROMOSOMICA; ABERRATION CHROMOSOMIQUE; Adolescent; Adult; AGRICULTURAL WORKERS; Agricultural Workers' Diseases - genetics; ALGODON; Cells, Cultured; CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS; COTON; COTTON; Cotton-field workers; Female; Gossypium; HEALTH; Humans; Kinetics; LINFOCITOS; LYMPHOCYTE; LYMPHOCYTES; Lymphocytes - drug effects; Male; Middle Aged; Mitotic Index - drug effects; OBREROS AGRICOLAS; Occupational Exposure; OUVRIER AGRICOLE; Peripheral lymphocytes, pesticides; PESTICIDE; PESTICIDES; Pesticides - adverse effects; Pesticides, clastogenic effect; PLAGUICIDAS; Polyploidy; SALUD; SANTE; Pesticides, clastogenic effect; Peripheral lymphocytes, pesticides; Cotton-field workers
• ISSN: 0165-1218; 0027-5107
• DOI: 10.1016/0165-1218(91)90065-T

We studied clastogenic effects in peripheral lymphocytes of cotton-field workers who were exposed to different pesticides. All the cells were grown in RPMI 1640 medium for 48 and 72 h. The type of aberrations observed in the exposed group are gaps, breaks, dicentrics, exchanges, rings and polyploidy. The frequency of total chromosomal aberrations increased significantly in male pesticide applicators when compared to controls. A significant decrease in mitotic index was observed in the exposed group as compared to the control group. The 48-h cultures showed high incidence of chromosomal aberrations and low mitotic index when compared to 72-h cultures. The difference in chromosomal aberrations between 48- and 72-h cultures was not significant. 24 out of 26 individuals showed ill health effects such as severe giddiness and nervous disorders.