Detection of the Micronucleus Frequency in Buccal Mucosa Epithelial Cells Among Sudanese Hairdressers in Shendi City

Abstract

Malaz Ali M. Elhassan, Abdulrahman Ali Alkalifa Alhafyan, Tibyan Abd Almajed Altaher and Ghanem Mohammed Mahjaf

Hairdressing is one of the fastest-growing occupations in today's society. Hairdressers help with styling, cutting, coloring, perming, curling, straightening hair, and various treatments for customers. Hairdressers are regularly exposed to chemicals that can harm the human genome, including formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, thioglycolic acid, and aromatic amines found in hair products. The micronucleus is one of the most effective biomarkers for processes associated with the induction of DNA damage. The study aimed to determine the micronucleus frequencies in buccal mucosa epithelial cells of hairdressers exposed to chemicals in hair products. This descriptive comparative cross-sectional study included one hundred smears collected from a hairdresser gently using a toothbrush and divided into two groups: the non-exposed (control) group and the exposed (case) group. After sterilization under strict precaution, the smears were smeared on a cytology glass forested slide, fixed in 95% ethanol, rehydrated through a descending grade of alcohols, then water, and smears stained with papanicoula stain. A significant difference in micronucleus frequency between 2 groups was reported in 40 (53.3%) in the exposed (case) group compared to 9 (36.0%) in the non-exposed (control) group. The P value was 0.133; the age was categorized into three groups, group A (16-30 years), B (31-45 years), and C (more than 45 years); the micronucleus positive was 27 (67.5%), 11 (27.5%), and 2 (5.0%), respectively; the micronucleus negative was 22 (62.9%), 12 (34.3%), and the p-value was 0.757. The duration was categorized into three groups: group A (less than one year), group B (one year–15 years), and group C (16 years–45 years). The micronucleus positive was 2 (5.0%), 34 (85.0%), and 7 (14%), respectively, and the micronucleus negative was 1 (2.9%), 27 (77.1%), and 7 (20.0%), respectively, and the P value was 0.443. The study concluded that the chemical substances in hair products increase the micronucleus frequency of the epithelial cells in the buccal mucosa of hairdressers. Additionally, the most positive rate was observed among males within the age group (16–30) years. This may direct the establishment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols for protecting workers' health and the development of guidelines and policies. Protective protocols (face masks, gloves, etc.) in the salon should be followed and carried out by most hairdressers and researchers to look for more information about detecting the micronucleus among the hairdressers.

PDF