Research Article

Exposure to agrochemicals and DNA adducts in Western Liguria, Italy

  1. Armelle Munnia1,
  2. Riccardo Puntoni2,
  3. Franco Merlo2,
  4. Silvio Parodi1,3,
  5. Marco Peluso1,*

Article first published online: 25 AUG 1999

DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2280(1999)34:1<52::AID-EM8>3.0.CO;2-A

Issue

Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis

Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis

Volume 34, Issue 1, pages 52–56, 1999

Additional Information

How to Cite

Munnia, A., Puntoni, R., Merlo, F., Parodi, S. and Peluso, M. (1999), Exposure to agrochemicals and DNA adducts in Western Liguria, Italy. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 34: 52–56. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2280(1999)34:1<52::AID-EM8>3.0.CO;2-A

Author Information

  1. 1

    Unit of Experimental Oncology, National Institute for Research on Cancer, Genoa, Italy

  2. 2

    Unit of Environmental Epidemiology, National Institute for Research on Cancer, Genoa, Italy

  3. 3

    Department of Clinical and Experimental Oncology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

*Unit of Experimental Oncology, National Institute for Research on Cancer, Genoa, Italy

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 25 AUG 1999
  2. Article first published online: 25 AUG 1999
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 20 MAY 1999
  4. Manuscript Revised: 8 APR 1999
  5. Manuscript Received: 14 MAR 1999

Funded by

  • Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Ministry of Health, Ministero della Università e Ricerca Scientifica Tecnologica

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Keywords:

  • greenhouse floriculturists;
  • pesticides;
  • DNA adducts;
  • 32P-DNA postlabeling

Abstract

Pesticides are used to control pests and improve agricultural production. Despite their selectivity of action, a number of agrochemicals have been reported to be genotoxic using the 32P-DNA postlabeling assay. Greenhouse floriculturists are suspected of being heavily exposed to agrochemicals during loading, mixing, and application of pesticides, as well as during manual activities by continuous contact with flowers and ornamental plants. We analyzed the DNA adduct formations in the white blood cells (WBCs) of 57 nonsmoker greenhouse floriculturists and 33 nonsmoker age-matched referents residing in the Western Liguria Region, Italy—the most important Italian greenhouse floriculture area. The averages of DNA adducts, expressed as relative adduct labeling (RAL), were 8.50 × 109 ± 1.98 (SE) in floriculturists and 2.17 × 109 ± 1.05 (SE) in referents. DNA adducts were significantly higher in floriculturists than in controls after adjustment for age and gender (P = 0.007). A specific adduct pattern, with up to six different spots, was observed in 60% of floriculturists, while no adducts were generally detected in controls. Our study represents an important contribution to the correct evaluation of the potential health risk associated with floriculture activity and supports the adoption of measures ensuring pesticide exposure reduction in greenhouses. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 34:52–56, 1999 © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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