No / Human biomonitoring studies aim to identify potential exposures to environmental, occupational, or lifestyle toxicants in human populations and are commonly used by public health decision makers to predict disease risk. The Comet assay measures changes in genomic stability and is one of the most reliable biomarkers to indicate early biological effects, and therefore accepted by various governmental regulatory agencies. The appeal of the Comet assay lies in its relative simplicity, rapidity, sensitivity, and economic efficiency. Furthermore, the assay is known for its broad versatility, as it can be applied to virtually any human cell and easily adapted in order to detect particular biomarkers of interest, such as DNA repair capacity or single- and double-strand breaks. In a standard experiment, isolated single cells are first embedded in agarose, and then lysed in high-salt solutions in order to remove all cellular contents except the DNA attached to a nuclear scaffold. Subsequent electrophoresis results in accumulation of undamaged DNA sequences at the proximity of the nuclear scaffold, while damaged sequences migrate towards the anode. When visualized with fluorochromes, these migrated DNA fragments resemble a comet tail and can be quantified for their intensity and shape according to internationally drafted guidelines.

Arsenic (As) is a carcinogenic agent that is present in varying levels in environmental matrices including water and food. Long term As exposure can lead to skin lesions, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, renal system effects and cardiovascular diseases. Bio-monitoring of human urine, toenail, serum and cerebrospinal fluid was carried out in this thesis to assess the exposure to arsenic and other trace elements. A multidisciplinary approach based on Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), HPLC-ICP-MS and Proton-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-NMR) in conjunction with a questionnaire based survey was employed. The impact of rice consumption (a well-known vector of arsenic in the general population) on human urinary As levels was assessed. Results obtained show that the Bangladeshi (UK-B) community in the United Kingdom, who consume ca. 30-fold more rice than the white Caucasians (UK-C), are exposed to a higher level of arsenic. ICP-MS and HPLC-ICP-MS revealed a significant increase in dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and inorganic arsenic (iAs) species in UK-B compared to UK-C, while cationic compounds were lower in UK-B than in UK-C. DMA and iAs levels in the Bangladeshis were positively correlated to rice consumption. Rice is likely to be responsible for the increase in levels of DMA and iAs in urine of UK-B. The link between this and the disproportional occurrence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in UK-B needs to be investigated. Another important finding of this study is that the DMA to monomethyl arsenic (MA) ratio, which is often used as an indication of arsenic methylation capacity, should be applied with caution in populations consuming large quantities of rice because variation in the quantity and type of rice eaten may alter the urinary DMA levels and thereby the DMA/MA ratio. Urinary arsenic, selenium, copper and zinc were monitored for a group of Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Indians and Caucasians living in the UK. The most striking finding was the increase in urinary copper in the UK-B group compared to other ethnicities and to reference values reported for the general UK population. Among the possible reasons for this could include dietary exposure via ethnic food consumption or a change in copper metabolism in the Bangladeshis. High serum copper levels have been correlated to CVD in the US population. In this context, further work is recommended to investigate if there is a relationship between urinary copper and the disproportionately high incidence of CVD in UK Bangladeshis. An approach based on 1H-NMR was used to detect changes in human urinary metabolomic profile as a function of As exposure through different routes. For this, the urine of UK-B, UK-C and a group residing in Bangladesh (BD-B) were monitored. The effects of other factors were explored, including arsenic urinary profile, chewing pan, ethnicity, rice consumption, selenium and diabetes. The three populations show distinctive metabolomic profiles. Urinary arsenic speciation was used in evaluating the effects of arsenic on the metabolomic profile for the UK group. This revealed that the %DMA positively correlates to %N,N-dymethylglycine, %alanine and %betaine. Comparative analysis of the 1H NMR spectra revealed that the BD-B urinary profiles were depleted in the number and quantity of metabolites. Visible signs of lower protein intake and undernourishment emerged from the urinary metabolomic profile of BD-B including a 2.5 decrease in creatinine levels compared to UK-B. Urinary creatinine and the metabolomic profile provide evidence for undernourishment in the BD-B population group that was not evident from previous studies on dietary protein intake in this population performed using food frequency questionnaires. Public health officials might consider also using bio-monitoring studies for nutrient intake rather than solely relying on estimations from food frequency questionnaires. The results reveal the complexity of the subject and pave the way for future studies, highlighting the need for awareness about diet and other specific confounding factors. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is considered a multifactorial disease and its cause remains unknown. A case-control study on a MS cluster from the volcanic region of Mt. Etna (a natural emitter of geogenic trace elements in the environment) was undertaken. Urine and toenails were monitored for trace elements along with food consumption and life-style habits. Levels of a range of trace elements were reported for the first time for a population living in the Mt. Etna region. No significant differences were found in trace element levels in urine and toenails of MS patients and controls. However, urinary levels of nickel, manganese and selenium were higher than those reported in the literature for the general population from Italy, Germany and the UK. These findings and observations might suggest a role for nickel in the pathology of MS. However, larger studies on the possible role of nickel on MS, and trace elements in general, should be performed. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and some serum from MS patients and controls from the Mt. Etna region were also monitored in this study using ICP-MS. There were significant differences in the trace elemental profile of CSF of MS volunteers and controls, including an increase in arsenic and zinc in the CSF of MS patients. Lead, aluminium, cadmium and molybdenum were significantly increased in the CSF of MS patients as well. In contrast, selenium was lower in MS patients compared to controls. The enrichment of certain trace elements in the CSF of MS patients could be the result of an impairment of the blood brain barrier and tight junction disruption due to MS and its progression, resulting in serum protein leakage and trace elements across the blood–brain barrier. Studies are necessary in the future to identify the chemical species present in the CSF and also determine their role in biological processes including their harmful effects on the brain.

The human biomonitoring is today an important tool for monitoring of people exposition to environmental pollutants. Mercury and cadmium are long-term monitored biomarkers in the Czech population. A developmental trend of mercury concentration level in urine and hair of children population as well as in urine and blood of adult population is investigated. These biomarkers were monitored in the years 1996 - 2011. Data originate from the NIPH (National Institute of Public Health) databases and from the international project COPHES/DEMOCOPHES. Adult blood donors at age of 18 to 64 were the first monitored group, the second one were children at age of 6 to 12, which were selected based on an agreement with elementary schools or with the paediatricians' cooperation. Available data were statistically processed; trends are presented in graphs as a dependence of geometric means on the time (the year of the biological samples collection). Results show an unstable development of biomarkers levels in different matrixes. A moderate decreasing trend of cadmium level in urine of adults was observed. GM values for adults decreased from 0.43 μg/g creatinine in 2009 to 0.24 μg/g creatinine in 2009. For year 2011, data are available only for women (GM = 0.21 μg/g creatinine). The downward trend was also found in the...

Human biomonitoring represents today an important tool for the monitoring of the human beings exposition to the environmental pollutants. COPHES and DEMOICOPHES projects are address to harmonized approach to human biomonitoring within Europe. This process enables receiving comparable data on the international level. Four biomarkers (mercury, cadmium, kotinin and phthalate metabolites) were selected for this pilot study; all of them are extensively monitored at present. 27 European states at all participated in these projects and procedures were tested in 16 countries of the European Union and the Switzerland. Two localities different in the population density - Prague and Liberec were selected for the Czech Republic. Children of age 6 - 11 and their mothers were selected as the sensitive population groups. Samples of biological material (hair and urine) were taken from the representative individuals. 120 pairs of mother - child were involved in the study. Information about participant's alimentation and life style, inhabitation, education, and smoking habits was gained in questioners. Obtained information was joined with results of analyses of biological material and was evaluated statistically. It was found from results that recorded levels of monitored biomarkers do not exceed substantial healthy limits...

No Brasil, ainda não há a realização de pesquisas envolvendo a determinação de elementos químicos em fluidos biológicos e a elaboração de valores de referência para a sua população infantil. O biomonitoramento de elementos químicos apresenta essencial importância na avaliação da saúde humana, no entanto, na análise dos dados dos estudos brasileiros de biomonitoramento, os resultados obtidos são geralmente comparados com valores estipulados para outros países, o que pode gerar uma estimativa equivocada do risco. Sendo assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever as concentrações médias urinárias de elementos químicos essenciais e não essenciais em crianças brasileiras em fase escolar (6-14 anos), propondo valores de referência para Cd, Co, Li, Mo, Pt e Sb. Para o desenvolvimento do estudo, foram utilizadas amostras de urina obtidas pela \"Pesquisa Nacional para Avaliação do Impacto da Iodação do Sal\" (PNAISAL), sendo tomada uma amostragem de 6.965, escolhidas aleatoriamente, abrangendo 19 unidades da federação e comtemplando as 5 regiões brasileiras. As determinações dos elementos químicos foram realizadas por método de ajuste de matriz, com simples diluição de urina e análise direta por espectrometria de massas com plasma acoplado indutivamente (ICP-MS). Foi realizada dosagem de creatinina nas amostras para ajuste de matriz e correção de possíveis efeitos de diluição. As concentrações médias obtidas para os elementos Cd, Co, Li, Mo, Pt e Sb foram 0,267, 0,769, 7,949, 66,839, 0,022 e 2,389 ?g/g de creatinina, respectivamente. Os dados obtidos foram comparados com resultados de estudos de biomonitoramento para população adulta brasileira e de outros países, evidenciando a necessidade da estipulação de valores próprios para a população infantil brasileira. / There is no research involving the determination of chemical elements in biological fluids and the development of reference values in Brazil for its child population. Human biomonitoring of chemical elements has great importance in human health assessment, however, in analysis of Brazilian biomonitoring studies, the results are usually compared with values established for other countries, which can lead to an erroneous estimate of the risk. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the concentration of essential and nonessential elements in Brazilian children (6-14 years), proposing reference values for Cd, Co, Li, Mo, Pt and Sb. To develop the study, urine samples obtained by the \"Pesquisa Nacional para Avaliação do Impacto da Iodação do Sal\" (PNAISAL) were used, taking a sample of 6,965 randomly chosen, covering all Brazilian regions. Samples were directly analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ICP-MS against matrix-matching calibration. Creatinine measurement was done to correct possible effects of sample dilution. The mean concentrations obtained for Cd, Co, Li, Mo, Sb and Pt elements were 0.267, 0.769, 7.949, 66.839, 0.022 and 2.389 ?g/g of creatinine, respectively. The data were compared with results from biomonitoring studies for Brazilian adult and foreign populations, highlighting the need for stipulation of reference values for Brazilian child population.

A emissão de resíduos tem contribuído imensamente para que os seres humanos se tornem vulneráveis e expostos a elementos químicos tóxicos, dentre eles, o arsênio. Este elemento ocupa o primeiro lugar na lista de substâncias de elevada prioridade, com alto risco toxicológico e de exposição segundo a Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) do Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A exposição ao arsênio está associada ao surgimento de vários tipos de câncer, diabetes, aterosclerose, doenças cardiovasculares, pulmonares, imunológicas, hematológicas, gastrintestinais, hepáticas, renais, neurológicas, dentre outras. Uma das mais importantes fontes antropogênicas de arsênio é a mineração, que pode contribuir para contaminação de solos, água, ar e alimentos. Um exemplo de contaminação ambiental por arsênio, no Brasil, ocorre na cidade de Paracatu-MG, devido à exploração de uma mina de ouro. Entretanto, pouco se sabe em relação às condições ambientais na região e aos níveis de exposição da população local. Neste sentido, este trabalho teve como objetivos: (i)-avaliar a concentração de arsênio em amostras de material particulado, amostras de água doce superficial (sub-bacia do rio Paracatu), solos e de água tratada disponível para o consumo humano em bairros próximos e distantes da região de mineração; (ii)- avaliar a concentração de arsênio em amostras de urina e unha de moradores dos bairros monitorados no item (i); e (iii) propor um método de remedição ambiental de amostras de águas contaminadas da região utilizando nanomaterial magnético. Os valores da concentração de material particulado apresentaram grandes variações entre as regiões em estudo, mas ficaram dentro do limite estabelecido pela ATSDR de 20 a 100ng/m3 para regiões urbanas. Já as amostras de águas superficiais apresentaram valores alterados em relação ao estabelecido de 10?g L-1 segundo o CONAMA 357 de 2005. As concentrações de As em água de beber em geral estiveram dentro dos limites estabelecidos. Os valores de As em urina e unha apresentaram valores mínimos menores que o limite de detecção (< LOD) e valores máximos de 9.210 ?g g-1 de creatinina em urina e 31.502 ng g-1 em unha. Finalmente, o método proposto para remediação química apresentou grande eficiência para adsorção de As, com capacidade máxima de adsorção de 37,3 mg g- 1. Além disso, sua aplicação na remediação das águas superficiais contaminadas ou em áreas de rejeitos da região de mineração é de extrema simplicidade / The emission of waste has contributed immensely to humans become vulnerable and exposed to toxic chemicals, among them, the arsenic. This element occupies the first place in the list of substances of high priority, with high toxicological risk and exposure according Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Exposure to arsenic is associated with the appearance of various types of cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary, immunological, hematological, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, neurological, among others. One of the major anthropogenic sources of arsenic in the world is mining, which can contribute to contamination of soil, water, air and food. An example of environmental contamination by arsenic in Brazil occurs in the Paracatu city of -MG, due to the operation of a gold mine. However, little is known about the risks of the local population to arsenic exposure, although several effects typically associated with high exposure to this toxic chemical. Then, the aims of this study were: (i) assess the concentration of arsenic in particulate matter samples, surface freshwater samples (sub-basin of the Paracatu river), soil and of treated water available for human consumption in neighborhoods with nearby mining region; (ii) Evaluate the concentration of arsenic in urine and nail samples of residents from region of item (i); and (iii) propose a method for environmental remediation of contaminated water samples from the region using magnetic nanomaterial. The values of particulate matter concentration showed large variations between regions under study, but were within the limit established by ATSDR from 20 to 100 ng /m3 in urban areas. As for the surface water samples showed alterations values in relation with the 10?g L-1 established according to CONAMA 357 of 2005. The concentrations in drinking water generally were within the established limits. Soil samples showed high As concentrations. The values in urine and nail showed since lower values than the minimum limit of detection ( < LOD) until maximum values of 9,210?g g -1 creatinine in urine and 31,502ng g -1 in nail. Finally, the proposed chemical remediation method showed high efficiency for adsorption of As, with maximum adsorption capacity of 37.3 mg g-1. It is easily possible its application in the remediation of contaminated surface water or in areas of mining wastes.

Les hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques (HAP) sont des polluants ubiquitaires cancérogènes émis dans l’atmosphère sous forme gazeuse ou particulaire et constituent des mélanges complexes issues de sources multiples. Les biomarqueurs d’exposition urinaires sont le plus couramment utilisés pour effectuer la surveillance biologique de l’exposition (SBE) aux HAP, notamment le 1-hydroxypyrène (1-OHP). Sa seule utilisation pour estimer l’exposition aux mélanges de HAP est aujourd’hui controversée. Le 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrène (3-OHBaP) est récemment utilisé car il est issu du benzo(a)pyrène (BaP), le seul HAP classé cancérogène certain pour l’homme. Les métabolites monohydroxylés des HAP gazeux les plus abondants sont utilisés pour la SBE. Ce travail a pour objectif de développer et sélectionner un ensemble de biomarqueurs permettant une SBE pertinente et efficace de l’exposition aux HAP tant au niveau professionnel qu’environnemental. Dans un premier temps, les biomarqueurs d’exposition aux HAP cancérogènes (essentiellement contenus dans la phase particulaire) qui sont le 1-OHP et le 3-OHBaP ont été étudiés. La variabilité des mélanges atmosphérique émis, notamment l’abondance relative de la phase gazeuse par rapport à la phase particulaire font que le 1-OHP n’est pas spécifique de l’exposition aux HAP cancérogènes qui sont contenu dans la phase particulaire. En effet, les concentrations urinaires de 1-OHP dépendent des niveaux atmosphériques de pyrène, un HAP non cancérogène émis sous forme gazeuse et particulaire. L’étude de la cinétique d’élimination urinaire du 3-OHBaP a permis de confirmer que le prélèvement d’urine dans le cadre de la SBE en milieu professionnel soit réalisé en fin de poste plus 16h de par la cinétique d’élimination urinaire atypique. Ainsi, il est recommandé de l’effectué en début de poste du dernier jour travaillé. L’étude des modes de correction de la diurèse a confirmé la nécessité de prendre en compte le degré de dilution des urines pour le 1-OHP et le 3-OHBaP et que la correction par la créatinine urinaire est un moyen adapté. La faible abondance urinaire du 3-OHBaP ne permet pas d’effectuer de la SBE dans des milieux professionnels avec de faibles niveaux d’expositions. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons sélectionné des biomarqueurs pour les faibles expositions professionnelles parmi les différents métabolites monohydroxylés des HAP gazeux. Parmi les métabolites comparés, le 2-hydroxyfluorène et le 2-hydroxyphenanthrène sont ceux qui reflètent au mieux l’exposition professionnelle mais ne sont pas spécifiques de l’exposition aux HAP cancérogènes contenus dans la phase particulaire. Enfin, nous avons développé une méthode de dosage urinaire du (±)trans-anti-BaP-tétraol (Tetraol-BaP) applicable en routine avec un limite de quantification de 0,02 ng/L. Le Tetraol-BaP urinaire est au moins aussi abondant que le 3-OHBaP. Les premières analyses indiquent que le Tetraol-BaP pourrait être un biomarqueur d’exposition intéressant pour estimer le risque cancérogène. En effet, il est plus proche de l’effet toxique que le 3-OHBaP car il est issu des voies de métabolisation toxique du BaP. Ce travail de thèse souligne que l’évaluation de l’exposition aux mélanges de HAP à partir d’un seul métabolite est difficilement interprétable à cause de la variabilité des mélanges émis et propose différents biomarqueurs qui permettraient de caractériser l’exposition à l’échelle du mélange de HAP. / Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous carcinogenic pollutants emitted into the atmosphere in complex mixtures constituted of gaseous PAHs and particulate PAHs. Urinary exposure biomarkers are most commonly used in order to perform human biomonitoring (HB) to PAHs, especially the 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) that is considered as the golden standard. However, its use to characterized mixture exposure is controversial. The 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene (3-OHBaP) is recently used because it is a metabolite of the benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), the only PAH classified as carcinogenic to humans. Monohydroxylated metabolites of the most abundant gaseous PAHs are also used to perform HB. The aim of this thesis was to develop and select a set of exposure biomarkers that enables a relevant and effective HB for both environmental and occupational exposures. Firstly, the 1-OHP and the 3-OHBaP which are used as exposure biomarkers of carcinogenic PAHs (mainly contained in the particulate phase) were studied. The variability of the emitted atmospheric mixtures, especially the relative abundance between the gaseous and the particulate phases complicates the use of the 1-OHP to assess specific carcinogenic PAH exposure. Indeed, 1-OHP urinary concentrations depend on atmospheric pyrene concentrations (a non-carcinogenic PAH) which is present in both phases. The study of urinary elimination kinetic of the 3-OHBaP revealed atypical elimination kinetics (as in rats) and confirmed that sampling time should be done 16 hours after the end of the shift. Thus, sampling is recommended at pre-shift of the last day worked. The study of diuresis adjustment confirmed the need to take into account the urine’s degree of dilution and that urinary creatinine adjustment is suitable to correct concentrations of the 1-OHP and the 3-OHBaP. HB in occupational sectors with low exposure can’t be performed with 3-OHBaP due to its low urinary abundance. Secondly, monohydroxylated metabolites of gaseous PAHs were compared to select relevant biomarkers for low occupational exposure. Among the compared metabolites, the 2-hydroxyfluorene and the 2-hydroxyphenanthrene were proposed because they are those that best reflect occupational exposure. However, these two metabolites were not specific of carcinogenic PAH exposure in the particulate phase. Finally, an analytical method of the (±)trans-anti-BaP-tetraol (Tetraol-BaP) was developed for routine application (the limit of quantification was 0,02ng/L). The first urinary analysis indicated that the Tetraol-BaP is at least as abundant as the 3-OHBaP and that it could be a relevant biomarker to assess carcinogenic risk. Indeed, the Tetraol-BaP is a product of toxic metabolism pathways of the BaP, which allows it to be closer to the toxic effect than the 3-OHBaP. This thesis highlights the difficulty to use a single biomarker to assess PAH mixture exposure due to their important variability and suggests different biomarkers that would characterize mixture PAH exposure.

Processos industriais utilizam e geram uma variedade de compostos que são liberados e dispersados no ambiente. Sobre a maioria dessas substâncias, muitas sendo recentemente sintetizadas, não se tem o devido conhecimento e controle, o que pode causar diversos prejuízos ao ambiente e à saúde humana, sendo as populações do entorno das fontes emissoras as primeiras a se exporem. Nesse contexto, uma avaliação que estime o potencial efeito de uma mistura de substâncias à determinada população requer um trabalho extenso e multidisciplinar. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar, através de marcadores genéticos, a presença de atividade mutagênica no material particulado atmosférico como marcador de exposição e diagnóstico ambiental em áreas sob influência industrial petroquímica, associando o biomonitoramento humano em população urbana exposta à atividade industrial. Foram avaliadas amostras de material particulado atmosférico, através do ensaio Salmonella/microssoma, de áreas que recebem as emissões atmosféricas do complexo petroquímico do sul, Triunfo (RS), e de uma refinaria de petróleo em Esteio (RS) e, para comparação, uma área urbana em Porto Alegre (RS) também foi avaliada. Todos os locais estudados apresentaram respostas positivas para mutagenicidade e indicaram a presença de mutágenos diretos e indiretos, e de nitrocompostos, como nitroarenos, aminas aoromáticas e nitro-PAHs. Amostras de sangue e mucosa oral de homens residentes e/ou trabalhadores na área influenciada pela refinaria de petróleo foram avaliadas quanto ao dano no DNA através do ensaio cometa e micronúcleo, respectivamente. Este grupo de indivíduos foi comparado a um grupo de referência similar entre os habitantes do município de Santo Antônio da Patrulha (RS), caracterizado como fora das principais áreas industriais do Estado. Não houve diferença entre a freqüência de células micronucleadas entre os grupos. No entanto, o ensaio cometa se mostrou sensível na detecção de dano ao DNA em indivíduos do grupo exposto. Nenhum dos fatores com possibilidade de interferência no parâmetro avaliado (fumo, idade e radiação) mostraram associação com aumento de dano detectado pelo ensaio cometa. Os ensaios biológicos utilizados no diagnóstico ambiental e no biomonitoramento da população foram ferramentas úteis na avaliação de áreas influenciadas por atividades humanas. Assim, o ensaio Salmonella/microssoma além de fornecer informações sobre os efeitos biológicos resultantes das misturas presentes no ambiente, também indicou as classes dos compostos e sua contribuição ao efeito observado. Já o ensaio do cometa foi indicativo importante no biomonitoramento da exposição humana à mistura de agentes genotóxicos ambientais. Esses resultados indicam que os atuais parâmetros de qualidade do ar não são suficientes para evitar efeitos adversos ao ambiente e à saúde humana. / Industrial processes use and generate a variety of compounds that are liberated and dispersed in the environment. Most of those substances, many recently synthesized, still do not have the understanding and control they deserve, which can cause several damages to the environment and human health, and the populations surrounding the emission sources are the first to be exposed. In this way, any evaluation estimating the potential effect of a mixture of substances to a particular population require an extensive multi-disciplinary approach. The present study had as objective to evaluate, through genetic biomarkers, the presence of mutagenic activity in the airborne particulate matter as an exposure marker and environmental diagnosis in areas under influence of petrochemical industry, associating the human biomonitoring in urban population exposed to industrial activities. Airborne particulate matter samples were evaluated through Salmonella/microsome assay. Samples from areas receiving atmospheric emissions from a petrochemical complex (Triunfo, RS), an oil refinery (Esteio, RS) and an urban area (Porto Alegre, RS) were evaluated. All studied areas showed positive responses for mutagenicity, indicating that direct and indirect-acting mutagens were present in airborne particulate matter. Also, the mutagenic responses indicate the participation of nitrocompounds, like nitroarenes, hydroxylamines, nitro-PAHs and aromatic amines in the total mutagenicity. Samples of blood and buccal mucosa, from males residing and/or working downwind from an oil refinery, were evaluated in singlecell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) and micronucleus (MN) assay, respectively. This studied group was compared to males from another town (Santo Antônio da Patrulha, RS, Brazil) situated in an urban area with restricted traffic and industrial influence, constituting the reference group. No difference in micronucleated cells frequencies was observed between groups. Comet assay was sensitive to detect DNA damage in subjects from exposed group. No association was found between possible confounding factors (tobacco smoking, age and radiation exposure) and increased DNA damage. Biological tests in monitoring and environmental diagnosis studies, in areas under influence of anthropogenic activities, were useful tools to screen which chemical genotoxic compound classes are present. It also indicates that the current air quality standards are not sufficient to avoid damage to the environment and human health.

Processos industriais utilizam e geram uma variedade de compostos que são liberados e dispersados no ambiente. Sobre a maioria dessas substâncias, muitas sendo recentemente sintetizadas, não se tem o devido conhecimento e controle, o que pode causar diversos prejuízos ao ambiente e à saúde humana, sendo as populações do entorno das fontes emissoras as primeiras a se exporem. Nesse contexto, uma avaliação que estime o potencial efeito de uma mistura de substâncias à determinada população requer um trabalho extenso e multidisciplinar. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar, através de marcadores genéticos, a presença de atividade mutagênica no material particulado atmosférico como marcador de exposição e diagnóstico ambiental em áreas sob influência industrial petroquímica, associando o biomonitoramento humano em população urbana exposta à atividade industrial. Foram avaliadas amostras de material particulado atmosférico, através do ensaio Salmonella/microssoma, de áreas que recebem as emissões atmosféricas do complexo petroquímico do sul, Triunfo (RS), e de uma refinaria de petróleo em Esteio (RS) e, para comparação, uma área urbana em Porto Alegre (RS) também foi avaliada. Todos os locais estudados apresentaram respostas positivas para mutagenicidade e indicaram a presença de mutágenos diretos e indiretos, e de nitrocompostos, como nitroarenos, aminas aoromáticas e nitro-PAHs. Amostras de sangue e mucosa oral de homens residentes e/ou trabalhadores na área influenciada pela refinaria de petróleo foram avaliadas quanto ao dano no DNA através do ensaio cometa e micronúcleo, respectivamente. Este grupo de indivíduos foi comparado a um grupo de referência similar entre os habitantes do município de Santo Antônio da Patrulha (RS), caracterizado como fora das principais áreas industriais do Estado. Não houve diferença entre a freqüência de células micronucleadas entre os grupos. No entanto, o ensaio cometa se mostrou sensível na detecção de dano ao DNA em indivíduos do grupo exposto. Nenhum dos fatores com possibilidade de interferência no parâmetro avaliado (fumo, idade e radiação) mostraram associação com aumento de dano detectado pelo ensaio cometa. Os ensaios biológicos utilizados no diagnóstico ambiental e no biomonitoramento da população foram ferramentas úteis na avaliação de áreas influenciadas por atividades humanas. Assim, o ensaio Salmonella/microssoma além de fornecer informações sobre os efeitos biológicos resultantes das misturas presentes no ambiente, também indicou as classes dos compostos e sua contribuição ao efeito observado. Já o ensaio do cometa foi indicativo importante no biomonitoramento da exposição humana à mistura de agentes genotóxicos ambientais. Esses resultados indicam que os atuais parâmetros de qualidade do ar não são suficientes para evitar efeitos adversos ao ambiente e à saúde humana. / Industrial processes use and generate a variety of compounds that are liberated and dispersed in the environment. Most of those substances, many recently synthesized, still do not have the understanding and control they deserve, which can cause several damages to the environment and human health, and the populations surrounding the emission sources are the first to be exposed. In this way, any evaluation estimating the potential effect of a mixture of substances to a particular population require an extensive multi-disciplinary approach. The present study had as objective to evaluate, through genetic biomarkers, the presence of mutagenic activity in the airborne particulate matter as an exposure marker and environmental diagnosis in areas under influence of petrochemical industry, associating the human biomonitoring in urban population exposed to industrial activities. Airborne particulate matter samples were evaluated through Salmonella/microsome assay. Samples from areas receiving atmospheric emissions from a petrochemical complex (Triunfo, RS), an oil refinery (Esteio, RS) and an urban area (Porto Alegre, RS) were evaluated. All studied areas showed positive responses for mutagenicity, indicating that direct and indirect-acting mutagens were present in airborne particulate matter. Also, the mutagenic responses indicate the participation of nitrocompounds, like nitroarenes, hydroxylamines, nitro-PAHs and aromatic amines in the total mutagenicity. Samples of blood and buccal mucosa, from males residing and/or working downwind from an oil refinery, were evaluated in singlecell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) and micronucleus (MN) assay, respectively. This studied group was compared to males from another town (Santo Antônio da Patrulha, RS, Brazil) situated in an urban area with restricted traffic and industrial influence, constituting the reference group. No difference in micronucleated cells frequencies was observed between groups. Comet assay was sensitive to detect DNA damage in subjects from exposed group. No association was found between possible confounding factors (tobacco smoking, age and radiation exposure) and increased DNA damage. Biological tests in monitoring and environmental diagnosis studies, in areas under influence of anthropogenic activities, were useful tools to screen which chemical genotoxic compound classes are present. It also indicates that the current air quality standards are not sufficient to avoid damage to the environment and human health.

Processos industriais utilizam e geram uma variedade de compostos que são liberados e dispersados no ambiente. Sobre a maioria dessas substâncias, muitas sendo recentemente sintetizadas, não se tem o devido conhecimento e controle, o que pode causar diversos prejuízos ao ambiente e à saúde humana, sendo as populações do entorno das fontes emissoras as primeiras a se exporem. Nesse contexto, uma avaliação que estime o potencial efeito de uma mistura de substâncias à determinada população requer um trabalho extenso e multidisciplinar. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar, através de marcadores genéticos, a presença de atividade mutagênica no material particulado atmosférico como marcador de exposição e diagnóstico ambiental em áreas sob influência industrial petroquímica, associando o biomonitoramento humano em população urbana exposta à atividade industrial. Foram avaliadas amostras de material particulado atmosférico, através do ensaio Salmonella/microssoma, de áreas que recebem as emissões atmosféricas do complexo petroquímico do sul, Triunfo (RS), e de uma refinaria de petróleo em Esteio (RS) e, para comparação, uma área urbana em Porto Alegre (RS) também foi avaliada. Todos os locais estudados apresentaram respostas positivas para mutagenicidade e indicaram a presença de mutágenos diretos e indiretos, e de nitrocompostos, como nitroarenos, aminas aoromáticas e nitro-PAHs. Amostras de sangue e mucosa oral de homens residentes e/ou trabalhadores na área influenciada pela refinaria de petróleo foram avaliadas quanto ao dano no DNA através do ensaio cometa e micronúcleo, respectivamente. Este grupo de indivíduos foi comparado a um grupo de referência similar entre os habitantes do município de Santo Antônio da Patrulha (RS), caracterizado como fora das principais áreas industriais do Estado. Não houve diferença entre a freqüência de células micronucleadas entre os grupos. No entanto, o ensaio cometa se mostrou sensível na detecção de dano ao DNA em indivíduos do grupo exposto. Nenhum dos fatores com possibilidade de interferência no parâmetro avaliado (fumo, idade e radiação) mostraram associação com aumento de dano detectado pelo ensaio cometa. Os ensaios biológicos utilizados no diagnóstico ambiental e no biomonitoramento da população foram ferramentas úteis na avaliação de áreas influenciadas por atividades humanas. Assim, o ensaio Salmonella/microssoma além de fornecer informações sobre os efeitos biológicos resultantes das misturas presentes no ambiente, também indicou as classes dos compostos e sua contribuição ao efeito observado. Já o ensaio do cometa foi indicativo importante no biomonitoramento da exposição humana à mistura de agentes genotóxicos ambientais. Esses resultados indicam que os atuais parâmetros de qualidade do ar não são suficientes para evitar efeitos adversos ao ambiente e à saúde humana. / Industrial processes use and generate a variety of compounds that are liberated and dispersed in the environment. Most of those substances, many recently synthesized, still do not have the understanding and control they deserve, which can cause several damages to the environment and human health, and the populations surrounding the emission sources are the first to be exposed. In this way, any evaluation estimating the potential effect of a mixture of substances to a particular population require an extensive multi-disciplinary approach. The present study had as objective to evaluate, through genetic biomarkers, the presence of mutagenic activity in the airborne particulate matter as an exposure marker and environmental diagnosis in areas under influence of petrochemical industry, associating the human biomonitoring in urban population exposed to industrial activities. Airborne particulate matter samples were evaluated through Salmonella/microsome assay. Samples from areas receiving atmospheric emissions from a petrochemical complex (Triunfo, RS), an oil refinery (Esteio, RS) and an urban area (Porto Alegre, RS) were evaluated. All studied areas showed positive responses for mutagenicity, indicating that direct and indirect-acting mutagens were present in airborne particulate matter. Also, the mutagenic responses indicate the participation of nitrocompounds, like nitroarenes, hydroxylamines, nitro-PAHs and aromatic amines in the total mutagenicity. Samples of blood and buccal mucosa, from males residing and/or working downwind from an oil refinery, were evaluated in singlecell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) and micronucleus (MN) assay, respectively. This studied group was compared to males from another town (Santo Antônio da Patrulha, RS, Brazil) situated in an urban area with restricted traffic and industrial influence, constituting the reference group. No difference in micronucleated cells frequencies was observed between groups. Comet assay was sensitive to detect DNA damage in subjects from exposed group. No association was found between possible confounding factors (tobacco smoking, age and radiation exposure) and increased DNA damage. Biological tests in monitoring and environmental diagnosis studies, in areas under influence of anthropogenic activities, were useful tools to screen which chemical genotoxic compound classes are present. It also indicates that the current air quality standards are not sufficient to avoid damage to the environment and human health.