Özet:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between DNA damage and blood arsenic levels in individuals occupationally exposed to arsenic (As). A hundred-twenty exposed individuals from silver mining plate workers were monitored in the way of DNA damage in blood lymphocytes using comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis, SSGE). The DNA damage levels were measured by BAB Bs Comet Assay system and As levels were analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) system. The mean blood arsenic level was 17.03±10.85 μg/L. A statistically significant positive correlations were found between the arsenic levels and comet parameters (tail intensity, comet length and tail length) (r=0.360, r=0.334, r=0.259, respectively, p<0.01). Our results showed that exposure to arsenic may cause DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes of Turkish silver mining plate workers.

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