MICRONUCLEI AND SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES IN WOMEN BEEDI WORKERS OCCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED TO TOBACCO DUST

Abstract

To investigate the genotoxicity of tobacco dust in tobacco industry women, a study was conducted on a group of employees in a tobacco factory, was tested for micronuclei (MN) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and are related to the hematological parameters that are well established as indicators of early biological effects. A total of 60 women bidi workers and 60 control groups of individuals in the age group of 16 to 65 years and 6-30 yrs of exposure were recruited; a questionnaire based survey was conducted. The mean levels of the differential leukocyte count were significantly higher in beedi rollers when compared with the controls and buccal smears were collected from oral cavity and analyzed for nuclear anomalies. A higher frequency of micronuclei was observed among women exposed to tobacco dust than normal controls. A significant increase in nuclear anomalies was observed in workers exposed to tobacco dust for longer duration. In addition to this, a higher degree of sister chromatid exchanges in blood lymphocytes were observed among tobacco exposed women.