To investigate the effects of
occupational exposure to waste
anesthetic gases on
genetic material and
antioxidant status in professionals during their
medical residency. The study group consisted of 15 medical residents from
Anesthesiology and
Surgery areas, of both genders, mainly exposed to
isoflurane and to a lesser degree to
sevoflurane and
nitrous oxide; the
control group consisted of 15
young adults not exposed to
anesthetics.
Blood samples were drawn from professionals during
medical residency (eight, 16 and 22 months of exposure to waste
anesthetic gases).
DNA damage was evaluated by
comet assay, and
antioxidant defense was assessed by total
thiols and the
enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPX),
superoxide dismutase (SOD) and
catalase (
CAT). When comparing the two groups,
DNA damage was significantly increased at all
time points evaluated in the exposed group;
plasma thiols increased at 22 months of exposure and GPX was higher at 16 and 22 months of exposure. Young professionals exposed to waste
anesthetic gases in
operating rooms without adequate scavenging system have increased
DNA damage and changes in
redox status during
medical residency. There is a need to minimize exposure to
inhalation anesthetics and to provide better
work conditions.(AU)