Assessment of the genotoxic effects of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) among drivers of auto-LPG taxis using micronucleus test.

Abstract

For almost a decade, LPG has been revolutionized as an alternative fuel source in the Philippines particularly for use on auto-LPG taxis. However, there are reported health concerns among drivers of auto-LPG taxis, which are allegedly linked to being exposed to LPG combustion products. To evaluate the possible biological effects that this exposure has on humans, genotoxicity was assessed using the micronucleus test. Samples were randomly collected from 22 drivers and nine office workers within Metro Manila. Results showed that exposure to LPG combustion products leads to genetic alteration manifested as micronuclei (p=0.029). However, observed group characteristics, such as age, smoking habits and alcohol habits, vary between the two groups studied. But after excluding the combined effect of these factors on mean micronucleated cells (MMC) using ANCOVA, the significant effect of LPG exposure was still found (p=0.048). After considering those extraneous factors individually using Multiple Linear Regression, they were found to have no effect on micronucleus formation (age p=0.228; drinking habit p=0.871; smoking habit p=0.317).