Öz
The purpose of this study is to investigate the association
between DNA damage and blood arsenic levels in individuals
occupationally exposed to arsenic (As). A hundred-twenty
exposed individuals from silver mining plate workers were
monitored in the way of DNA damage in blood lymphocytes
using comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis, SSGE). The
DNA damage levels were measured by BAB Bs Comet Assay
system and As levels were analyzed by the atomic absorption
spectrometer (AAS) system. The mean blood arsenic level was
17.03±10.85 μg/L. A statistically significant positive correlations
were found between the arsenic levels and comet parameters
(tail intensity, comet length and tail length) (r=0.360, r=0.334,
r=0.259, respectively, p<0.01). Our results showed that exposure
to arsenic may cause DNA damage in peripheral