Monitoring of DNA damage in foundry and pottery workers exposed to silica by the alkaline Comet Assay

Background Workers in foundry and pottery are exposed to a mixture of chemicals and silica, which is suspected to cause genetic alterations. Methods To investigate the potential hazard associated with the occupational exposure to silica, DNA damage in the peripheral lymphocytes of 30 foundry and 22 pottery workers were examined by the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis or Comet Assay, and compared to 52 healthy subjects with no history of occupational silica or chemical exposure. Results The DNA damage observed in the lymphocytes of both foundry and pottery workers was significantly higher than that in their controls. Cigarette smoking was also related to DNA damage since the DNA damage observed in smoking silica-exposed workers compared with the non-smoking workers was significantly higher. Conclusions Occupational exposure of silica from foundry and pottery workplaces has been associated with the increased DNA damage and smoking which represents an additional risk factor and must be avoided. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.