Damaged DNA strand intertwined with agricultural fields.

Is Captan Exposure Harming Your Cells? The Hidden Dangers of This Common Fungicide

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Nico Varela in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 5 min read.

"Discover how the widely-used fungicide captan could be causing DNA damage and replicative stress in your body, potentially leading to severe health issues."


Captan, a fungicide frequently used in agriculture since 1951, has long been a subject of debate regarding its safety. While it's effective in protecting fruits and crops from fungal diseases, concerns have been raised about its potential carcinogenic effects. Different agencies have varying classifications, adding to the confusion. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies captan as 'Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans,' while other regulatory bodies have, at times, considered it a possible human carcinogen.

Recent studies have started to shed light on how captan affects our cells at a DNA level. Research indicates that exposure to captan can lead to DNA base alterations and replicative stress in mammalian cells. This means that captan could be interfering with the way our cells replicate and repair their DNA, potentially leading to long-term health consequences. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for assessing the true risk of captan exposure and developing strategies to mitigate its harmful effects.

This article delves into the latest findings on captan's genotoxic effects, explaining how it interacts with our cells and the potential implications for our health. We'll explore the specific ways captan can damage DNA, cause replicative stress, and the cellular responses that are triggered as a result. By understanding these complex processes, we can make more informed decisions about minimizing our exposure to this common fungicide.

How Does Captan Damage DNA and Cause Cellular Stress?

Damaged DNA strand intertwined with agricultural fields.

A groundbreaking study has revealed the specific ways in which captan can harm our cells. Researchers found that when mammalian cells are exposed to captan, they accumulate Fpg-sensitive DNA base alterations. These alterations are essentially damages to the building blocks of our DNA, making it difficult for cells to function properly. The study, conducted on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) and HeLa cells, further revealed that these DNA lesions require a specific repair pathway, known as the XRCC1-dependent pathway, to be fixed.

This damage doesn't stop there. The study also discovered that captan induces replicative stress, which is a state where cells struggle to accurately copy their DNA. This stress activates the ATR signalling response, a cellular alarm system that tries to fix the problem. However, this can lead to further complications, including double-strand breaks and micronuclei formation, both of which are indicators of genomic instability.

  • Fpg-Sensitive DNA Alterations: Damages to the DNA's building blocks that interfere with normal cellular function.
  • XRCC1-Dependent Repair Pathway: A specific cellular mechanism needed to repair the DNA lesions caused by captan.
  • Replicative Stress: A state where cells struggle to accurately copy their DNA, leading to activation of the ATR signalling response.
  • ATR Signalling Response: A cellular alarm system activated by replicative stress, which can lead to double-strand breaks and micronuclei formation.
  • Genomic Instability: A condition characterized by an increased rate of mutations and chromosomal abnormalities, potentially leading to cancer.
The replicative stress induced by captan is characterized by a dramatic decrease in DNA synthesis due to reduced replication fork progression. Think of replication forks as tiny machines that move along DNA, copying it as they go. Captan slows down these machines, hindering the DNA replication process. Interestingly, even when the XRCC1-related repair process is impaired, the replicative stress doesn't amplify, suggesting that the fork progression defect is independent of the presence of base modifications. This indicates that captan has multiple ways of disrupting cellular processes, making it a complex threat to cellular health.

Protecting Yourself from Captan Exposure

While the research highlights the potential dangers of captan, it's important to remember that more studies are needed to fully understand its long-term effects on human health. However, taking proactive steps to minimize exposure is always a good idea. This includes washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly, especially if they are not organically grown. Staying informed about the latest research and regulatory updates can also help you make informed decisions about your health and safety. If you have concerns about captan exposure, consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1002/em.22268, Alternate LINK

Title: Exposure To The Fungicide Captan Induces Dna Base Alterations And Replicative Stress In Mammalian Cells

Subject: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Journal: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Anne Fernandez-Vidal, Liana C. Arnaud, Manon Maumus, Marianne Chevalier, Gladys Mirey, Bernard Salles, Julien Vignard, Elisa Boutet-Robinet

Published: 2018-12-19

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is Captan and what are some of the potential health concerns associated with it?

Captan is a fungicide used to protect crops from fungal diseases. However, research indicates that captan can induce DNA alterations and replicative stress in mammalian cells, potentially leading to health issues. Despite being in use since 1951 there are varying classifications of captan's carcinogenicity by different agencies. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies captan as 'Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans.'

2

How does Captan damage DNA?

When mammalian cells are exposed to Captan, they accumulate Fpg-sensitive DNA base alterations. These alterations are essentially damages to the building blocks of DNA and this can interfere with the normal functioning of cells. The XRCC1-dependent repair pathway is the specific cellular mechanism needed to repair these DNA lesions caused by captan.

3

What is replicative stress, and how does Captan cause it?

Replicative stress occurs when cells struggle to accurately copy their DNA. Captan induces this stress, which can lead to the activation of the ATR signaling response. The ATR signaling response is a cellular alarm system that tries to fix the problem and can lead to further complications. This process involves the slowing of replication fork progression and is independent of base modifications. These processes can lead to genomic instability.

4

What is genomic instability, and how does it relate to Captan exposure?

Genomic instability is characterized by an increased rate of mutations and chromosomal abnormalities, potentially leading to cancer. When cells experience replicative stress due to captan exposure, the ATR signaling response is activated. This can lead to double-strand breaks and micronuclei formation, which are indicators of genomic instability. This suggests that exposure to captan could increase the risk of developing cancer or other health issues.

5

How can someone minimize exposure to Captan and what should they do if they are concerned?

To protect yourself, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly, especially if not organically grown, can help reduce captan exposure. Staying informed about the latest research and regulatory updates can also help you make informed decisions. If you have concerns about captan exposure, consulting with a healthcare professional is recommended for personalized advice.

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