The adverse effects of mining pollutants on oral mucosa in Bellary district: A clinical and genotoxicity study.

BACKGROUND

The Bellary district in Karnataka, rich in mineral resources, is a major mining industry, but prolonged exposure to mining can lead to health hazards. The study aims to assess the genotoxic impact of mining pollutants on mine workers using the micro-nucleus (MN) assay.

SETTING AND

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A total of 250 individuals (198 males and 52 females) working in mining areas were examined, and their oral findings were recorded in a proforma. For the micro-nucleus assay, buccal smears from 30 individuals working in mining areas with habits, 30 individuals working in mining areas without habits, and 30 individuals residing in non-mining areas (control group) were selected. Smears were stained with Giemsa stain to identity and quantify the MNs.

RESULTS

The frequency of oral mucosal problems among 250 persons working in mining regions was 170 (68.0%) with no oral mucosal conditions, 79 (32.6%) with oral mucosal conditions, 25 (10%) with leukoplakia, 1 (0.4%) with lichen planus, and 8 (3.2%) with ulcerations. Acute necrotising gingivitis was reported in one person (0.4%), candidiasis in two (0.8%), abscess in two (0.8%), OSMF in 39 (15.6%), and oral cancer in two (0.8%). The mean MN count was 2.40 + 1.57 in mine employees with habits, 2.18 + 1.25 in mine workers without habits, and 1.40 + 0.55 in normal healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

Reduced occupational health risks brought on by exposure to mining contaminants require protective measures. After being exposed to mining pollutants, exfoliated buccal mucosal cells can be examined for genotoxicity.