Chromosome breakage and cellular death are induced in oral epithelial cells of hairdressers: a preliminary study.

The aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate genomic damage (micronucleus) and cellular death (pyknosis, karyolysis and karyorrhexis) in exfoliated oral mucosa cells from hairdressers using two different anatomic buccal sites: cheek mucosa and lateral border of the tongue. A total of 28 hairdressers and 30 health controls (non-exposed individuals) were included in this setting. Individuals had epithelial cells from the cheek and lateral border of the tongue mechanically exfoliated, placed in fixative and dropped in clean slides that were checked for the previously mentioned nuclear phenotypes. The results pointed out statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) of micronucleated oral mucosa cells from hairdressers in the lateral border of the tongue. Exposure to hair dyes caused an increase of other nuclear alterations closely related to cytotoxicity, such as karrhyorexis, pyknosis and karyolysis in both the oral sites evaluated. In summary, these data indicate that hairdressers are occupationally exposed to agents that are genotoxic and cytotoxic. It seems that the lateral border of the tongue is a more sensitive site to the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of hair dyes.