Biological activity resulting from exposure to aquatic environmental genotoxic pollutants in northern Egypt.

We estimated pollution in Lake Edku and the Mediterranean Sea, El-Maadiya Region, with 3 aromatic amines (1-naphthylamine, 2-naphthylamine and benzidine) in the muscle tissue of fish. There were marked seasonal variations in the aromatic amine levels. We also determined oxidative stress (blood glutathione, and catalase activity) and genotoxic effects (chromosomal aberrations and urinary metabolites) in fishermen from each area. The fishermen suffered from oxidative stress and had high levels of the urinary metabolite sulfanilamide [mean (microg/mg creatinine): Lake Edku 20.7, Mediterranean 14.5, controls 5.3]. Frequencies for total chromosomal aberrations were significantly raised in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of fishermen in both areas [frequency (per 100 metaphases): Mediterranean 67, Lake Edku 45, controls 14].

Sister chromatid exchanges and chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes of medical personnel handling cytostatic drugs.

Many anticancer drugs, including cytostatic drugs, are genotoxic. Evidence on human carcinogenicity has been conclusive. Persons handling these drugs might be exposed to an occupational health hazard, as they cause chromosomal damage in the lymphocytes. This study was conducted on 30 Egyptian medical personnel handling cytostatic drugs, working in the Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University and Gamal Abd El Naser Hospital in Alexandria. A control group comprised 30 normal healthy individuals matched for age and sex and had no contact with cytostatic drugs. Also, they were not exposed to any mutagenic agents. The workers and controls were interviewed to exclude exposure to any mutagenic agents other than anticancer drugs in case of medical workers. Cytogenetic methods were done to all subjects to assess chromosomal aberrations (CA) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). Significantly increased frequencies of CA and SCEs were found in exposed personnel as compared to the controls. Chromosomal aberrations and SCEs frequencies were not correlated with the age of exposed personnel and duration of exposures to cytostatic drugs. There was no increased risk of malformed children in exposed females and no history of repeated abortion. The results of this study point to the handling of cytostatic drugs as a possible genotoxic hazard. Therefore, effective protection and care in handling must be further emphasized to prevent adverse effects.