Botanische Bakteriologie und Stickstoffhaushalt der Pflanzen auf neuer Grundlage

The Science of Nature -     

Genotoxic consequences of occupational exposure to ethylene oxide and formaldehyde ‐ a pilot study

The study evaluates chromosome damage caused by simultaneous occupational exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO) and formaldehyde (FA). To determine the extent of chromosome damage, eleven workers were analyzed using chromosome aberration (CA) assay, sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies, micronucleus (MN) assay, and mitotic activity (MA). The results show significant deviations in subjects exposed to EtO and FA from control values in all four assays. The study shows a complex mode of action of EtO and FA on human genome and confirms the need for further research of cytogenetic risk which should be obtained through several assays.