Effects of wasted anesthetic gases on human lymphocytes – A genetic study

Information on potential genetic damage in humans after exposure to waste anaesthetic gases in Egyptian hospitals is scarce. To evaluate the possible genotoxic effects of waste anaesthetic gases, the chromosomal aberrations [CA] and the sister chromatid exchange [SCE] tests, were studied in peripheral blood lymphocytes in 26 operating room personnel (exposed group) currently employed at Tanta University hospitals, in comparison to a group of 13 non-exposed persons (control group), matched by age, sex and smoking habits. The results showed a statistically significant increase in chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchange in the exposed persons in comparison to controls. Also it suggests that exposure to waste anaesthetic gases has the potential to cause changes in human genome.