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Estimation of formaldehyde occupational exposure limit based on genetic damage in some Iranian exposed workers using benchmark dose method

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Abstract

The present study evaluated an occupational exposure level for formaldehyde employing benchmark dose (BMD) approach. Dose–response relationship was determined by utilizing cumulative occupational exposure dose and DNA damage. Based on this goal, outcome of comet assay for some Iranian exposed people in occupational exposure individuals was used. In order to assess formaldehyde exposure, 53 occupationally exposed individuals selected from four melamine tableware workshops and 34 unexposed subjects as a control group were examined. The occupational exposure dose was carried out according to the NIOSH-3500 method, and the DNA damage was obtained by employing comet assay in peripheral blood cells. EPA Benchmark Dose Software was employed for calculating BMD and BMDL. Cumulative exposure dose of formaldehyde was between of 2.4 and 1972 mg. According to the findings of the current study, the induction of DNA damage in the exposed persons was increased tail length and tail moment (p < 0.001), when compared to controls. Finally, an acceptable dose–response relationship was obtained in three-category information between formaldehyde cumulative exposure doses and genetic toxicity. BMDL was 0.034 mg/m3 (0.028 ppm), corresponding to genetic damage of peripheral blood cells. It can be concluded that the occupational permissible limit in Iranian people could be at levels lower than OSHA standards.

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This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Rezvan Zendehdel

  2. Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Rezvan Zendehdel & Masoomeh Vahabi

  3. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

    Roya Sedghi

Authors
  1. Rezvan Zendehdel
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  2. Masoomeh Vahabi
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  3. Roya Sedghi
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Correspondence to Masoomeh Vahabi.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Zendehdel, R., Vahabi, M. & Sedghi, R. Estimation of formaldehyde occupational exposure limit based on genetic damage in some Iranian exposed workers using benchmark dose method. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 31183–31189 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3077-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3077-9

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