DNA damage levels in electronics workers in Southern China: A micro-whole blood comet assay

- This study is the first of its kind to investigate different hazard-exposure groups for DNA damage in electronics workers.
- The DNA damage is more significant in lead in high-temp group and IPO in high-temp group.
- Micro-whole blood comet assay could be considered a suitable method for risk assessment in occupationally exposed workers.
- This information is useful for administrators to improve occupational safety in South China and other developing countries.

We evaluated DNA damage levels of different categories of workers exposed to hazards inside electronics factories in Southern China. To find out the most dangerous risk factor, a cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 584 exposed subjects and 138 controls in an electronics factory in Southern China, where the electronics industry is prevalent. The exposed hazards included isopropanol (IPO), lead, noise, video display terminals (VDT), lead in a high-temperature (high-temp) environment, and IPO in a high-temp environment. DNA damage detection was performed by the micro-whole blood comet assay using peripheral blood. DNA damage levels were estimated by percent tail DNA (%T). Linear regression models were used to test DNA damage differences between exposed groups and control group with adjustments for potential confounding factors. The level of DNA damage was more significant in both lead in a high-temp and IPO in a high-temp environment groups than in that of the controls (p < 0.05). The differences remained significant after stratifying by smoking status (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between groups exposed to IPO, lead, noise, VDT environment and controls. In conclusion, we identified potential risk factors for DNA damage to electronics workers. Special attention should be paid to workers exposed to IPO and lead in a high-temp environment.