Cyto- and Genotoxic Potentials of Carbamates in Human Lymphocytes

Carbamate pesticides are extensively used in agricultural areas due to their broad spectrum and low bioaccumulation. Although it is well-known that their toxicity occurs in the nervous system with reversible acetylcholine esterase inhibition and acetylcholine accumulation in synapses, knowledge regarding their adverse effects on nontarget systems is still limited, especially regarding their DNA-damaging properties. The toxic potential of the commonly used carbamates (aldicarb, carbaryl, methiocarb, and propoxur) have been investigated in freshly isolated human peripheral lymphocytes at the exposure concentrations of 0.5-25.0 μM. The carbamates were found to disturb the membrane permeability but were not harmful to the mitochondrial and lysosomal functions. Besides, they induced DNA damage. Except methiocarb, the DNA-damage for all carbamates was dose-dependent. The cyto- and geno-toxic effects of carbamates should raise concern about the safety associated with their applications in consumer products.