DNA damage in viscose factory workers occupationally exposed to carbon di-sulfide using buccal cell comet assay

ABSTRACT

Aim: The most important industrial use of carbon disulfide (CS2) has been in the fabrication of regeneratedcellulose rayon by the viscose process and cellophane. CS2 leads to increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations in workers with occupational exposure to CS2. Methods: In the present study, the DNA damage was analyzed by using buccal cell comet assay for 30 viscose plant workers who are occupationally exposed to CS2 and 30 healthy individuals. Both groups were classified as smokers and non-smokers and only the experimental subjects were classified based on the exposure period. The data were analyzed statistically bythe Student’s t-test. Results: The results of this study showed increased levels of DNA damage among viscose plant workers. Conclusion: The habit of cigarette smoking among the viscose workers had a synergistic effect on inducing DNA damage.