Análise genotóxica em trabalhadores rurais em Goiás, Brasil: exposição direta e indireta a pesticidas

Abstract

The use of pesticides has grown, mainly in developing countries, leading to the genotoxic susceptibility of farmers. The present study aimed to detect DNA damage in rural workers in the Southwest of Goiás, Brazil, using the comet assay. The target population of the genotoxic test consisted of 28 individuals with a history of exposure to pesticides and 25 indirectly exposed. The average time of exposure to pesticides was approximately 10 years. Diagnosis did not indicate a significant difference in DNA damage between populations. Cigarette consumption did not influence the increase in genotoxic damage among workers. However, alcohol consumption by workers, directly exposed to complex mixtures of pesticides, was shown to be related to increased DNA damage. In general, the comet assay is an important biomarker for detecting DNA damage in workers directly and indirectly exposed to pesticides.