OBJECTIVETo study DNA damage of workers occupationally exposed to lead with flow cytometer assay.

METHODSThe lymphocytes were obtained from 41 workers occupationally exposed to lead (comparable group) and another 50 from control group. Flow cytometer (FCM) assay was used to detect DNA damage.

RESULTSDNA damage rate and geometric mean fluorescence intensity in the comparable group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the DNA damage and geometric mean fluorescence intensity between different age groups (P>0.05). The differences in correlation analysis between blood lead, urine lead, delta-ALA and DNA damage rate were not significant (P>0.05). The correlation analysis showed no statistical significance between concentration of blood lead, urine lead, delta-ALA and geometric mean fluorescence intensity (P>0.05). There was positive correlations not only between the high concentration of blood lead, delta-ALA and damage rate of DNA, but also between the high concentration of blood lead and geometric mean fluorescence intensity. The coefficient r showed statistical significance (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONOccupational lead exposure can cause DNA damage. Gamma H2AX flow cytometer assay is a sensitive, objective and effective method for detection of DNA damage of peripheral blood lymphocytes.

DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Lead ; adverse effects ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects

Objective:To analyze the unqualified rate of the observation indicaors before and after the implementation of “Sunshine Kitchen Project” in order to provide reference for improving the management of catering industry. Methods:This study included 415 catering establishments with implementation of the “Sunshine Kitchen Project” as intervention group and 210 catering establishments as control group without the implementation. By combining cohort study with case-control study， the unqualified rate of each observation indicator in intervention group and control group was analyzed. Results:After the intervention of “Sunshine Kitchen Project”， the unqualified rate of seven observation indicators related to operational behavior was significantly reduced， with an overall decrease of 12.44%. There were significant differences among the unqualified rate of large and medium-sized catering units and canteens in the intervention group （P < 0.001）. There was no statistically significant change in the unqualified rate of seven indicators in the control group （P > 0.1）. Compared with the control group before and after the intervention， the reduction of unqualified rate in the intervention group was significantly larger than that in the control group. The overall unqualified rate of the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group （P < 0.001）. Conclusion:The project of “Sunshine Kitchen” plays an active role in promoting the standardized operation of catering industry.