Genetic damage assessment in buccal epithelium cells of plastic greenhouse workers exposed to different pesticides: A cytogenetic biomonitoring study in Mersin, Turkiye.

Pesticides are extensively used in agriculture to safeguard crops; however, this widespread use poses serious health risks, especially for plastic greenhouse workers. This study investigates the genotoxicity of pesticide exposure in 32 non-smoking female greenhouse workers aged 20-40 in Mersin, Türkiye. Using the Buccal Micronucleus Assay (BM-ASSAY), researchers assessed genetic damage, cell proliferation, and cell death. The exposed group was compared to a control group of 32 non-smoking women of the same age not exposed to genotoxic agents. Results showed significantly higher frequencies of micronuclei (MN), karyolysis (KL), binucleated cells (BN), broken egg (BE), and karyorrhexis (KR) in the exposed group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05). The study also calculated the repair index to evaluate epithelial tissue recovery capacity. These findings highlight the importance of biomonitoring as a tool for detecting early genetic damage. The study emphasizes the urgent need for improved safety measures and ongoing health monitoring to protect greenhouse workers from long-term pesticide-related risks.