Sir,
The report on “tobacco Dust induced genotoxicity as an occupational hazard in workers of bidi making cottage industry of central India” is very interesting.[1] Khanna et al. noted that “bidi rollers seem to be facing the occupational hazard of genotoxicity due to handling bidi tobacco and inhalation of tobacco dust.[1]” Indeed, this topic is not a new thing. Previously, Mahimkar and Bhisey reported that “occupational exposure to bidi tobacco increases chromosomal aberrations in tobacco processors.[2]” Mahimkar and Bhisey reported for “a significant increase in deletion fragments and chromatid gaps in the exposed group.[2]” However, based on the present report by Khanna et al.,[1] it can confirm only that there is genotoxicity; however, the relationship to exposure might not be concluded. In fact, to confirm the exposure, biomarker monitoring is required. The available biomarkers include blood and urine levels including cotinine, thioethers, etc.[3,4]
REFERENCES
- 1.Khanna A, Gautam DS, Gokhale M, Jain SK. Tobacco dust induced genotoxicity as an occupational hazard in workers of bidi making cottage industry of central India. Toxicol Int. 2014;21:18–23. doi: 10.4103/0971-6580.128785. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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