Genotoxic study of exposure to cement among cement dealers in Enugu metropolis south-eastern Nigeria

Introduction: Cement is the most widely used material in constructions worldwide. Dealers are involved in prolonged exposure to cement. Previous studies among cement exposed subjects revealed possible pathologic effects. Hence this study evaluated the frequency of micronuclei between cement exposed and unexposed participants using buccal cells, stained with Papanicolaou stain. 
Materials and methods: This cross sectional study was carried out after ethical clearance approval and signed written Inform consents. Two hundred participants were recruited for this study, 100 cement exposed and 100 unexposed participants, age and sex matched. Eighty five cement exposed participants and ninety unexposed had their data analysed. The buccal smears of the participants were collected and stained using Papanicolaou staining technique. The data were analysed with students’ T-test at significant level p ≤ 0.05. 
Results: More men 56(56%) than women 44(44%) participated. The mean±SD age of the women was 25.97±8.05 years while mean±SD age of the men was 39.54±9.20 years, and was statistically significant, t = 7.730, p < 0.001. There was statistically significant higher frequency of micronuclei in the buccal cells of the cement exposed, 51.64±24.14 compared to control, 12.77±9.79, p < 0.0001. There was no significant difference comparing the frequency of micronuclei between exposed women and men; exposed smokers and non-smokers; exposed alcoholics and non-alcoholics likewise between exposed ≤ 2 years and exposed > 2 years. 
Conclusion, this study has revealed that cement exposure can caused increased frequency of micronuclei as evidence of genotoxicity. Hence, there is need for advocacy and training of cement exposed persons.