EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN POTTERY AND CERAMIC WORKERS

During the last decade, the production and hence, the amount andthe types of exposure of hazardous chemicals have been increased in theoccupationally exposed workers. Most of these chemicals have deterious effectsin the living systems. The level of chemical exposure in the occupationalsettings and the biomonitoring of workers and also establishing the regulatoryendpoints are very important. The exposures of chemicals in the workplaces havebeen associated with the increase in allergy, organ and system disorders andcancer. Therefore, the removal of these hazardous substances or thesubstitutions of them with non-toxic ones are necessary for the protection ofworkers’ health. In a large variety of occupations such as pottery and ceramicindustry, workers may be exposed to the many chemicals mainly to crystallinesilica. Occupational exposure to crystalline silica dust is related to anincreased risk for pulmonary diseases such as silicosis, tuberculosis, chronicbronchitis and lung cancer. The genotoxic changes as assessed by comet assay infoundry and ceramic workers will be given. In the presentation, the effects ofage, smoking, alcohol and protective equipment usage on the genotoxicityparameters will also be discussed. This study was funded by a grant from The Scientific andTechnological Research Council of Turkey (Project number: 115S079 and 199S200).