Genotoxic Effects of Exposure to Gasoline Fumeson Petrol Pump Workers

BACKGROUND: Petrol pump workers are occupationally exposed to gasoline and its fumes consisting of several mutagenic chemicals. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the genotoxic effects of exposure to gasoline fumes on petrol pump workers. METHODS: The study groups included 70 petrol pump workers (exposed group) and 70 healthy age-matched individuals with no known exposure (comparison group). Buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMCyt) was performed to check the genotoxicity caused due to inhalation of gasoline fumes. RESULTS: The frequencies of micronucleated cells, nuclear bud, condensed chromatin cells, karyorrhectic cells, pyknotic cells, and karyolytic cells were significantly higher in the exposed workers compared to the comparison group. CONCLUSION: Exposure to gasoline fumes is associated with increased frequency of cell abnormalities. This may lead to various health consequences including cancer in those occupationally exposed to gasoline fumes.