USE OF ALKALINE COMET ASSAY (SINGLE-CELL GEL-ELECTROPHORESIS TECHNIQUE) TO DETECT DNA DAMAGES IN LYMPHOCYTES OF OPERATING-ROOM PERSONNEL OCCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED TO ANESTHETIC-GASES

Here, we report the possible in vivo induction DNA damage by exposure to various waste anaesthetic gases such as halothane, nitrous oxide an d isoflurane. The alkaline comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresi s technique) was carried out on 66 operating room personnel (anaesthet ists [doctors]; anaesthesia nurses and anaesthesia unit technicians) c urrently employed at the Ankara Hospital in Turkey. A significant incr ease in the number of lymphocytes with DNA migration was observed in o perating room personnel as compared to controls. Also, the extent of d amage in exposed smokers were significantly higher than exposed nonsmo kers. This study supports the existence of an association between DNA damage and occupational exposure to inhalation anaesthetics. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.