Mutagenic effect of methanol in gas station operators from Sao Paulo/Brazil
- Ethics and Occupational Medicine-FMUSP, Sao Paulo (Brazil); and others
The frequency of micronucleus (MN) in oral scamous cells of 76 gas station operators was investigated. Subjects were exposed to a fuel called MEG a mix of 33% methanol, 60% ethanol and 7% gasoline. In Brazil the ethyl alcohol, extracted from sugar cane have been used as a fuel since 70`s. In November 1991, for economical reasons, the MEG fuel was introduced in big cities. The MN frequency was evaluated in three different periods: before MEG introduction (1989), and twice after MEG utilization (1992 and 1995). Some individuals were analyzed more than one time. For each individual the frequency of MN was performed in 2000 oral cells. Statistical analysis through non parametric tests revealed a highly significant increase (P=0.001) in the frequency of MN before (1.38/2000 cells) and immediately after methanol introduction (3.0/2000 cells). The frequency of MN returned to be normal (1.4/2000 cells), in the third evaluation when the exposition to methanol decreased. It should represent genetic risk for individuals under occupational exposure and for the population as a whole when methanol has been introduced as a large-scale fuel.
- OSTI ID:
- 530879
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9704100-; ISSN 0893-6692; TRN: 97:003016-0052
- Journal Information:
- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, Vol. 29, Issue Suppl.28; Conference: 28. annual meeting of the Environmental Mutagen Society, Minneapolis, MN (United States), 19-23 Apr 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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