Pulmonary Functions, Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Workers of a Copper Processing Industry

Occupational exposure to excessive level of copper results in many adverse health effects.
To measure pulmonary function, oxidative stress, and extent of DNA damage in workers of a copper processing industry.
30 men working in a copper processing industry and 30 men matched for age and socioeconomic status (comparison group) were included in this study. Pulmonary function test parameters were measured for all participants. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), glutathione (GSH) content in RBCs and 8-OHdG were assayed by ELISA. Extent of DNA damage in leucocytes was assayed by comet assay.
Pulmonary function parameters, FVC, FEV1, PEFR, and MVV measured in workers were significantly (p The observed DNA damage would be due to increased oxidative stress resulting from excessive exposure to copper.