Avaliação dos efeitos genotóxicos da exposição ocupacional em frentistas atuantes em postos de gasolina no município de Santarém, Pará

Background Gas station attendants are at high risk of poisoning due to continuous exposure to fuel fumes. Benzene, present in gasoline, is considered a carcinogen and harmful to the health of gas station attendants. Objective To investigate genotoxic effects on exfoliated oral mucosa cells in association with occupational exposure among gas station attendants in Santarem, Para, Brazil, and to establish the rate of adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE). Methods The results of the micronucleus test performed with oral mucosa cells stained by means of the Feulgen and Fast Green methods were compared between 126 exposed gas station attendants distributed across six groups and controls. Results The frequency of micronuclei was higher among gas station attendants compared to the group not exposed to benzene (p