Biotoxic and Cytotoxic Effects of Occupational Pesticide in the Buccal
cells of Sudanese Farmers
Abstract
Farmers are at high risk for developing adverse health problems due to
occupational pesticide exposure. we aimed to compare the frequency of
the micronuclear (MN) cellular changes, g binucleated cells (BN),
karyorrhexis (KR) and karyolysis (KL) in pesticide exposed farmers and
non-exposed individuals. Also, to correlate between the frequency of MN
cellular changes and the other nuclear abnormalities with farmers‘ age,
their use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the duration of
pesticides exposure. A total of 92 buccal smears were collected from
Sudanese farmers (cases: n=50, exposed to pesticides) and non-farm
workers (controls: n=42, non-exposed to pesticides). The smears were
fixed with 95% ethanol and stained following the standard Feulgen
technique., A structured questionnaire was designed to collect
demographic data and pesticide exposure related information. 39 (78%)
farmers do not use PPE. In addition, there was a significant difference
(P< 0.05) in the frequency of Micronucleated cells (MN), Total
Micronuclei (TMN), Binucleated cells (BN), Karyorehxsis (KH), and
Karyolysis (KL) in the buccal cells of cases and control. The
application of pesticide without adopting standard protective measures
caused genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in farmers’ buccal cells.