Two major components of steel fabrication industry, benzene and thinner induce cytotoxicity in Allium cepa L. root cells

Abstract

The various toxic chemicals used in painting of steel furniture are benzene, toluene, xylene and thinner. Of these, the cytotoxic effects of benzene and thinner were evaluated using root tip cells of Allium cepa. Chromosomal aberration assay was done and relative division rate (RDR) and mitotic index were calculated. An investigation of the root length was also carried out for 14 days in both control and after post treatment with benzene and thinner. Benzene and thinner showed positive cytotoxic effects on A. cepa root tips. Chromosomal abnormalities induced were early separation, exclusion, laggard, sticky bridge and persistent bridge. Both benzene and thinner also showed some positive effect on stimulation of cell division and growth of roots. These should not be deterred danger for crops on the basis of only cytotoxic effect. Thus, both cytotoxic and genotoxic effects should be assessed.