Dysregulation of markers of oxidative stress and DNA damage among nail technicians despite low exposure to volatile organic compounds

Objective The study aimed to compare levels of selected biomarkers of oxidative stress and DNA damage and their correlation with occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC) among female nail technicians and a group of unexposed volunteers. Methods A panel of biomarkers of oxidative stress and DNA damage was assayed among 145 female nail technicians and 152 healthy female volunteers. Occupational exposure of nail technicians to VOC was assessed analyzing the VOC content in nail salon air samples. Results The level of occupational exposure of nail technicians to VOC was below the respective threshold limit values, with combined airborne exposure to a mixture of VOC reaching only 3.3% (range 0.2-33.3%) of the threshold limit. Despite that, nail technicians presented increased activity of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GP×1), plasma ceruloplasmin, and the GP×1/superoxide dismutase 1 ratio (P