Genotoxic risk and oxidative DNA damage in workers exposed to antimony trioxide

The growing use of antimony (Sb) compounds in industry and the consequent increase in the number of exposed workers make it important to carry out a health risk assessment. The main goal of this study was to assess the genotoxicity of Sb2O3 in occupationally exposed workers. Genotoxicity was evaluated by the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus tests, and the enzyme (Fpg)-modified comet assay. In addition, antimony exposure levels were established by environmental monitoring with personal air samplers. We studied 23 male workers assigned to different fire retardant treatment tasks in the car upholstery industry and a control group of 23 healthy nonexposed males. The exposed workers were divided into two groups on the basis of their tasks and the work cycle: Group A comprised finishing and intermediate inspection operators who directly handled a mixture containing Sb2O3; Group B were jet operators, not directly exposed to the compound. Environmental monitoring detected low Sb exposure levels but significant differences between the two groups, with Group A having the higher exposure level. Cytogenetic analyses showed no difference between exposed workers and controls for micronuclei and SCE. The enzyme-modified comet assay showed a probable relation between moderate levels of oxidative DNA damage and exposure to antimony, with a significantly higher proportion of workers in Group A having oxidative DNA damage compared to controls. The results support the theory that oxidative DNA damage is involved in the genotoxicity of antimony and indicate the need for further research in this field. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.