N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF) is a well-known hepatotoxic chemical, and has been shown to cause malignancy in animals. However its genotoxicity in humans is unclear. The purposes of this study examine associations of airborne DMF levels and DNA damage using the comet assay, and them health stating in synthetic leather workers. A questionnaire was administered to obtain detailed occupational, smoking, alcohol consumption, and medication histories.
Thirty-seven works of expose group and thirty works of control group were divided. Mean age of expose group was 37.1 years old and controls was 36.9 years old, they was notsignificant. There were 26 smokers (70.3%) exposd group,and mean-pack years was12.8. There were 6 smokers (20.0%) in controls ,mean in controls pack-years was 6.9. AST levels in exposd group (30.4 10.1【n=27】and in controls 23.9 8.1【n=30】) were significantly. ALT levels in exposd group (40.2 20.2 【n=27】and in controls 26.1 15.4【n=30】) were significantly. Creatinine levels in exposd group (1.0 0.1【n=27】 and in controls 0.8 0.2【n=30】) were significantly.
The DNA damage level for works in the high DMF (8.3ppm) and middle DMF (3.0ppm), 186.2 45.0 and 143.8 40.8,and showed a significant difference. The DNA damage level for works in the high DMF (8.3ppm) and low DMF (0.3ppm), 186.2 45.0 and 144.1 38.1,and also showed a difference.
This study using the comet assay to assess the level of DNA damage in DMF exposed workers. We found that workers who exposed to high concentration DMF had great DNA damage than those exposed to low level of DMF. Exposure DMF workers also has more hepatotoxic effect than controls.
