Genetic instability in farmers using pesticides: A study in Brazil with analysis combining alkaline comet and micronucleus assays.

The use of pesticides to prevent and control pests also increases food production. Pesticides are widely used by contemporary farmers, especially in Brazil, where the economy is based on agriculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic potential of pesticide use in rural workers in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. DNA damage in whole blood cells was measured by the comet assay, while the frequency of cell types, abnormalities, and nuclear damage was estimated using the buccal micronucleus cytome assay. Samples of buccal mucosa were collected from 50 male volunteers (27 not exposed to pesticides and 23 occupationally exposed to pesticides). Among them, 44 volunteered for blood sampling (24 unexposed and 20 exposed). In the comet assay, the exposed farmers had a higher damage index than non-exposed ones. There were also statistically significant differences between the groups in the buccal micronucleus cytome assay. Farmers exhibited an increase in basal cell numbers, and cytogenetic alterations, represented by condensed chromatin and karyolitic cells. Comparisons between cell morphologies and epidemiological factors indicated an increased number of condensed chromatin and karyolitic cells in individuals who were responsible for preparation and transportation of pesticides to agricultural machines. Thus, the participants in this study who were exposed to pesticides were more sensitive to genetic damage, and thereby, more susceptible to diseases resulting from such damage. These results demonstrated that health policies should be developed for pesticide-exposed farmers to better mitigate risks and damage to their health.