Nursing professionals are frequently exposed to a variety of chemical agents in healthcare settings, including disinfectants, anesthetic gases, cytotoxic drugs and other hazardous substances, raising concerns about potential genotoxic effects. This systematic review investigates the genotoxicity associated with occupational exposure commonly encountered by nursing staff.
Methods
A systematic search conducted in August 2025 across PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science identified 16 relevant studies that evaluated DNA damage using biomarkers, such as the micronucleus assay, comet assay, and chromosomal aberration tests in human or mammalian cells.
Results
All included studies consistently reported genotoxic effects linked to occupational exposure, including increased frequencies of micronuclei, DNA strand breaks, and chromosomal alterations. Quality assessment indicated that 15 (out of 16) studies were of moderate to strong methodological rigor, supporting the reliability of these results.
Conclusion
These findings underscore the need for enhanced monitoring and protective measures for nursing professionals at risk of long-term genetic damage. The micronucleus assay emerges as a suitable assay for biomonitoring these professionals.
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