Buccal micronuclei assay in a human population from Sicily (Italy) exposed to petrochemical industry pollutants

People living near petroleum refinery are potentially exposed to environmental pollutants due to wide range of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons and chemical substances used in the manufacturing of petroleum derivatives. The aim of this study has been to evaluate the genotoxic effects on the human populations living and/or working in areas exposed to hydrocarbon pollutions produced by petroleum refineries located in the Southern and East of Sicily, using micronucleus (MN) assay on buccal exfoliated cells. The sample, workers and non-workers in the petroleum refinery industries, plus a control group composed by people living away from these areas, were selected to analyze the frequency of micronucleated cells (MN) and other nuclear anomalies (ONA: pyknosis, karyolysis and karyorrhexis) of buccal epithelial cells. Additionally, information on lifestyle factors from questionnaires filled out by each subject was obtained and studies about correlation were made. Our sample showed MN and ONA frequencies significantly higher (P<0.05) respect to the control subjects. Moreover, MN and ONA frequencies in petroleum refinery workers are not significantly different respect to the people living in petroleum refinery adjacent areas. Our findings indicate that people working in the petroleum refineries, as well as people living near these factories are under risk of cytogenetic damage, possibly due to the high level of environmental pollutants present in the studied areas.