Assessment of DNA Damage in Agricultural Workers Exposed to Mixture of Pesticides in Assam (India)

In agricultural fields, pesticides are used to protect the crops, but they pose a potential hazard to the farmers and the environment. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between the occupational exposure of different kinds of pesticides and DNA damage of an individual due to directly spraying the pesticides in the agricultural field. Blood samples of 70 exposed workers (after a day long spraying) and 70 control subjects belonging to Kolgochia Area of Barpeta district of Assam, were evaluated using the comet assay. Significant differences were found in the DNA damage among freshly exposed workers and controls group. The two groups had similar mean ages and smoking habits. Mean comet tail length was used to measure the DNA damage. Length of duration of pesticide exposure on the workers had significantly large tail length (62.75±21.97, 63.48±20.15, P=0.05). There was a significant increase in the comet parameters, viz., mean comet length and frequency of cells showing migration in exposed workers as compared to the control (20.73±20.23 vs. 63.48±20.15, P=0.054641 and 31,07±23.81 vs. 62.75±21.97 P=0.043). Confiding factors during pesticide exposure, such as age, smoking, drinking and dietary habit were expected to modulate the damage. The evidence of genetic hazard related to exposure, resulting from the exposure of pesticides, is the matter of concern. There is a need for educational programs in agriculture to reduce the use of such chemicals.