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ABSTRACT
Ceramic tile vendors are continuously exposed to ceramic dust leading to genotoxic effects demonstrated in the buccal smear of ceramic tilers in form of micronuclei which is an indicator of possible DNA damages. Genotoxicity therefore, describes the fume or dust capable of DNA damages leading to mutation or cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate DNA damages in ceramic tilers exposed to potentially harmful effects from ceramic dust in Benin metropolis. A total of sixty (60) consenting ceramic tilers were recruited in this study. Buccal smear was collected from buccal mucosa of the ceramic tile vendors using a wooden spatula from the upper right quadrant of the left cheek. It was smeared onto a glass slide and fixed in 95% methanol glacial acetic acid fixative in 3:1 ratio for 20 minutes. Smears were stained with Papanicolaou stains while, cells were evaluated for genotoxicity by observing the frequency of micronuclei. All slides were coded before examination to minimize bias during evaluation while smears were viewed using Binocular light microscope. Data generated were analyzed using IBM statistical package for social sciences version 20. ANOVA and turkey post hoc comparison was used for comparism. Assessment of nuclear abnormalities in exfoliated buccal cells of ceramic tilers and non-tilers showed that all sixty samples used as study group were observed to have micronuclei, which were also observed in the non-tilers used as controls. Total micronuclei (TMN) values were compared with those in the control group and results indicated that a higher number of micronuclei were found to be higher in age group 31-42 years (16.2±13.01) and age 18-30 years (10.14±11.02). ANOVA result was significant at (P<0.05), which indicated that age and frequency of exposure to ceramic tile fumes were major predisposing factors to the genotoxic changes among test and control groups. Cells with micronuclei (CMN) were found to be higher among age group 31-42 years (13.10±5.11) and between 18-30 years (6.78±5.87). Frequency of micronucleated and binucleated cells in exposed and control tilers were statistically significant amongst the exposed groups. Genotoxic effects were observed with the dominance of micronuclei in test slides than controls. Ceramic tilers in Benin metropolis are occupationally exposed to genotoxic substances from ceramic dust or fumes pointing to positive DNA damages. For safety, a good ventilation system should be installed in warehouses and places were ceramic tiles are being handled, proper respiratory protective materials should be used at all times to prevent inhalation of ceramic fumes which may lead to DNA damages in future.
