The Effects of Formaldehyde Exposure on Telomere Length and DNA Damage in Anatomists

Year 2025, Issue: 1, 23 - 30, 30.12.2025

Kardelen Tur , Fatih Mehmet Koca , Zeynep Sarımermer Yücel , Özge Al

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of chronic formaldehyde exposure on DNA damage and telomere length in anatomists working in anatomy laboratories. Peripheral blood samples were analyzed using the Comet Assay to assess DNA strand breaks and quantitative PCR (qPCR) to determine telomere length. The results showed significantly increased tail length, tail DNA percentage, and tail moment values in the exposed group compared with the controls (p <0.0001), indicating extensive DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, the mean telomere length of the exposed group (14.43 ± 3.00 kb) was approximately 72% shorter than that of the reference sample (52.26 kb). These findings demonstrate that formaldehyde induces both genotoxic and telomeric damage, contributing to cellular aging, genomic instability, and potentially an increased cancer risk, highlighting the need for biomarker-based monitoring and enhanced occupational safety practices among anatomists and laboratory professionals.

Keywords

Formaldehyde , DNA damage , Telomere length , Occupational exposure

References

• Bernardini, L., Barbosa, E., Charão, M. F., Goethel, G., Muller, D., Bau, C., ... & Brucker, N. (2020). Oxidative damage, inflammation, genotoxic effect, and global DNA methylation caused by inhalation of formaldehyde and the purpose of melatonin. Toxicology Research, 9(6), 778-789.
• Collins, A., Møller, P., Gajski, G., Vodenková, S., Abdulwahed, A., Anderson, D., & Azqueta, A. (2023). Measuring DNA modifications with the comet assay: a compendium of protocols. Nature protocols, 18(3), 929-989.
• Costa, S., Pina, C., Coelho, P., Costa, C., Silva, S., Porto, B., ... & Teixeira, J. P. (2011). Occupational exposure to formaldehyde: genotoxic risk evaluation by comet assay and micronucleus test using human peripheral lymphocytes. Journal of toxicology and environmental health, part A, 74(15-16), 1040-1051.
• Dioni, L., Hoxha, M., Nordio, F., Bonzini, M., Tarantini, L., Albetti, B., & Baccarelli, A. (2010). Effects of short-term exposure to inhalable particulate matter on telomere length, telomerase expression, and telomerase methylation in steel workers. Environmental health perspectives, 119(5), 622.
• Hewitt, G., Jurk, D., Marques, F, Correia-Melo C, Hardy T, Gackowska A, Anderson R, Taschuk M, Mann J, Passos J. (2012). Telomeres are favoured targets of a persistent DNA damage response in ageing and stress-induced senescence. Nat Commun 3(1), 708.
• Kawanishi, M., Matsuda, T., & Yagi, T. (2014). Genotoxicity of formaldehyde: molecular basis of DNA damage and mutation. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2, 36.
• Leso, V., Macrini, M. C., Russo, F., & Iavicoli, I. (2020). Formaldehyde Exposure and Epigenetic Effects: A Systematic Review. Applied Sciences, 10(7), 2319. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072319.
• Loomis, D., Guha, N., Hall, A. L., & Straif, K. (2018). Identifying occupational carcinogens: an update from IARC Monographs. Occupational and environmental medicine, 75(8), 593-603.
• Silveira, M. A. D., Kazanovski, M., Ribeiro, D. L., Cecchinato, C. N., & d’Arce, L. P. G. (2016). Formaldehyde exposure in medical students: a short period of contact causes DNA damage and instability. Int J Multispeciality Health, 2(9), 1-7.
• Valverde-Santiago, M., & Pontel, L. B. (2025). Emerging mechanisms underlying formaldehyde toxicity and response. Molecular Cell, 85(11), 2068-2079.
• Van der Laan, L., Cardenas, A., Vermeulen, R., Fadadu, R. P., Hubbard, A. E., Phillips, R. V., ... & Lan, Q. (2022). Epigenetic aging biomarkers and occupational exposure to benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde. Environment International, 158, 106871.
• Zhang, X., Lin, S., Funk, W. E., & Hou, L. (2013). Republished: Environmental and occupational exposure to chemicals and telomere length in human studies. Postgraduate medical journal, 89(1058), 722-728.
• Zhang, X., Lin, S., Funk, W. E., & Hou, L. (2013). Republished: Environmental and occupational exposure to chemicals and telomere length in human studies. Postgraduate medical journal, 89(1058), 722-728.