Cytogenetic Analysis Of Buccal Cells From Farmers In Tanjung Karang And Kelantan Who Were Exposed To Pesticides
- Author:
Ahmad Rohi GHAZALI
1
;
Maziani ABDULLAH
;
Asmah HAMID
;
Asmariah AHMAD
;
Tava Shelan NAGAPAN
;
Ismarulyusda ISHAK
;
Hidayatulfathi OTHMAN
;
Nihayah MOHAMMAD
;
Zariyantey Abd HAMID
;
Syarif Husin LUBIS
Author Information
1. Program Sains Bioperubatan Pusat Pengajian Sains Diagnostik dan Kesihatan Gunaan Fakulti Sains Kesihatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz 53000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal article
- Keywords:
Pesticides;
farmers;
micronucleus;
binucleus;
buccal cells
- From:Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences
2018;16(Special Issue (Article)):1-8
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Pesticides and chemical fertilizers are widely used in agriculture to increase crop productivity among farmers.However, exposure to pesticides will give potential risk to human health. The aim of this study was to analyze thefrequency of micronucleus (MN) and binucleus (BNu) formation in buccal cells from farmers who were exposedto pesticides using the MN assay. Buccal swabs were collected from the farmers in Tanjung Karang (n = 32) andKelantan (n = 43) using wooden tongue depressor. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain demographic dataof the farmers. Cytogenetic analysis was carried out by Acridin Orange (AO) staining 0.0025% (w/v). The frequencyof MN and BNu as the biomarkers for cytogenetic damage was observed by using a fluorescence microscope.Comparison of frequency of MN and BNu is conducted in two areas namely Tanjung Karang, Selangor and Kelantanbecause of the agricultural activity and the type of pesticides used are different. Results showed that the frequencies of bothMN and BNu among farmers in Tanjung Karang were significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to farmers in Kelantan.Meanwhile, for the socio-demographic factors (age, smoking status, working period), MN and BNu frequencies amongfarmers in Tanjung Karang were also significantly higher (p < 0.05) as compared to farmers in Kelantan. While in theaspect of pesticide exposure, the frequencies of MN and BNu showed no significant difference between the frequency ofpesticide spraying (p > 0.05) and the practices of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) (p > 0.05). This may suggeststhat cytogenetic changes were not influenced by these factors. In addition, correlation study shows positive correlationbetween the frequency of MN with the pesticide exposure of farmers in Tanjung Karang (p > 0.05, r = 0.015) and Kelantan(p > 0.05, r = 0.0158). Besides, the frequency of BNu also has a positive correlation with the pesticide exposure amongfarmers in Tanjung Karang (p > 0.05, r = 0.036) and farmers in Kelantan (p > 0.05, r = 0.013). Hence, this present study demonstrated that exposure to pesticides increasedthe formation of MN and BNu among farmers and theprolonged use of pesticides may induce genotoxicity andDNA damage to human.
