Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Monitoring human genotoxicity risk associated to urban and industrial Buenos Aires air pollution exposure

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The quality of life in large megacities is directly affected by its air quality. In urban environments, suspended particles from anthropogenic origin is one of the main air contaminants identified as highly genotoxic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic. Atmospheric monitoring is therefore imperative, and bioassays to detect the effects of genotoxic agents give usually excellent results. Analysis of micronucleus (MN) in exfoliated oral mucosa cells is a sensitive non-invasive method for monitoring genetic damage in human populations. The first aim of this study was to analyze and characterize levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in two areas from Buenos Aires: La Plata city, an urban (U) area and Ensenada, an industrial (I) area. Secondly, we evaluated the possible health risk of its inhabitants through a simple genotoxic assay on exfoliated oral mucosa cells. Whole blood cell count and nuclear abnormalities frequencies were evaluated in the exfoliated oral mucosa cells from urban and industrial inhabitants. Smoking habit represented a significant factor increasing MN percentage while, age did not increase the production of any of the nuclear aberrations assayed (micronuclei, binucleated, karyorrhexis) when the inhabitants from the urban and the industrial areas were compared. In addition, changes in MN and binucleated cell percentages in males and females were found to be area-dependent. We suggest that regardless PM concentration, PM-specific characteristics (size, shape, chemical elements, etc.) and VOCs levels could be responsible for the different harmful genotoxic effects seen in the two areas. Although this is a preliminary study, our results allowed to recognize that individuals living in both the urban and the industrial areas could be considered susceptible groups and should periodically undergo biological monitoring and appropriate care.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bonassi S, El-Zein R, Bolognesi C, Fenech M (2011) Micronuclei frequency in peripheral blood lymphocytes and cancer risk: evidence from human studies. Mutagenesis 26:93–100. https://doi.org/10.1093/mutage/geq075

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonetta S, Bonetta S, Schilirò T, Ceretti E, Feretti D, Covolo L, Vannini S, Villarini M, Moretti M, Verani M, Carducci A, Bagordo F, de Donno A, Bonizzoni S, Bonetti A, Pignata C, Carraro E, Gelatti U, MAPEC_LIFE Study Group (2019) Mutagenic and genotoxic effects induced by PM0.5 of different Italian towns in human cells and bacteria: the MAPEC_LIFE study. Environ Pollut 245:1124–1135

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Breed C, Arocena J, Sutherland D (2002) Possible sources of PM10 in Prince George (Canada) as revealed by morphology and in situ chemical composition of particulate. Atmos Environ 36:1721–1731. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(01)00500-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brook RD, Brook JR, Urch B, Vincent R, Rajagopalan S, Silverman F (2002) Inhalation of fine particulate air pollution and ozone causes acute arterial vasoconstriction in healthy adults. Circulation 105:1534–1536. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000013838.94747.64

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burgaz S, İşcan A, Büyükbingöl ZK et al (1995) Evaluation of micronuclei in exfoliated urothelial cells and urinary thioether excretion of smokers. Mutation Res/Environ Mutagenesis Related Subjects 335:163–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1161(95)90052-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Calvert GM, Talaska G, Mueller CA et al (1998) Genotoxicity in workers exposed to methyl bromide. Mutation Res/Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 417:115–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1383-5718(98)00105-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colman Lerner JE (2013) Contaminación ambiental análisis y mitigación/remoción de material particulado (MP) y compuestos orgánicos volátiles (COVs) y semivolátiles (COSVs). Doctoral thesis, National University of La Plata, Faculty of Exact Sciences, 231pp. http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/bitstream/handle/10915/27002/Documento_completo.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

  • Colman Lerner JE, Morales A, Aguilar M, et al (2013) Air pollution and health effects on children. Comparative study between La Plata and Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina. In: Libro de memorias del IV Congreso Colombiano y Conferencia Internacional de Calidad del Aire y Salud Pública (CASAP IV)., JORGE E.PA. pp 223–232

  • Colman Lerner JE, Kohajda T, Aguilar ME et al (2014a) Improvement of health risk factors after reduction of VOC concentrations in industrial and urban areas. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 21:9676–9688. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-2904-x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colman Lerner JE, Morales A, Aguilar M, Giulani D, Orte M, Ditondo J, Porta A (2014b) The effect of air pollution on children’s health: a comparative study between La Plata and Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment 181:659–670

  • Colman Lerner JE, Gutierrez M d l A, Mellado D et al (2018) Characterization and cancer risk assessment of VOCs in home and school environments in gran La Plata, Argentina. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25:10039–10048. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1265-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dappe V, Uzu G, Schreck E et al (2018) Single-particle analysis of industrial emissions brings new insights for health risk assessment of PM. Atmos Pollut Res 9:697–704. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APR.2018.01.016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fenech M, Holland N, Chang WP, Zeiger E, Bonassi S (1999) The HUman MicroNucleus project—an international collaborative study on the use of the micronucleus technique for measuring DNA damage in humans. Mutation Res/Fundament Molec Mech Mutagen 428:271–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1383-5742(99)00053-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fenech M, Chang WP, Kirsch-Volders M, Holland N, Bonassi S, Zeiger E (2003) HUMN project: detailed description of the scoring criteria for the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay using isolated human lymphocyte cultures. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis 534(1-2):65–75

  • Feretti D, Ceretti E, De Donno A et al (2014) Monitoring air pollution effects on children for supporting public health policy: the protocol of the prospective cohort MAPEC study. BMJ Open 4:e006096

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fontham E, Correa P, Rodriguez E, Lin Y (1986) Validation of smoking history with the micronuclei test. In: agris.fao.org, D. Hoffman. Mechanisms in tobacco carcinogenesis, Banbury report, pp 113–119

  • Frediani JC, López MJ (2014) Revista Transporte y Territorio : revista del Programa Transporte y Territorio. UBA, Instituto de Geografía, Filo

    Google Scholar 

  • Gattás GJ, Cardoso L d A, Medrado-Faria M d A, Saldanha PH (2001) Frequency of oral mucosa micronuclei in gas station operators after introducing methanol. Occupational Med (Oxford, England) 51:107–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • González LT, Rodríguez FL, Sánchez-Domínguez M, Cavazos A, Leyva-Porras C, Silva-Vidaurri L G, Barbosa JA (2017) Determination of trace metals in TSP and PM2. 5 materials collected in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey, Mexico: A characterization study by XPS, ICP-AES and SEM-EDS. Atmospheric Research 196:8–22

  • González LT, Longoria-Rodríguez FE, Sánchez-Domínguez M et al (2018) Seasonal variation and chemical composition of particulate matter: a study by XPS, ICP-AES and sequential microanalysis using Raman with SEM/EDS. J Environ Sci 74:32–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JES.2018.02.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutierrez MDLA, Colman Lerner JE, Giuliani DS, Porta AA, Andrinolo D (2019) Comparative study of tear lipid composition in two human populations with different exposure to particulate matter in La Plata, Argentina. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26:6948–6956. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04134-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hirvonen A (1995) Genetic factors in individual responses to environmental exposures. J Occup Environ Med 37:37–43

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holland N, Bolognesi C, Kirsch-Volders M, Bonassi S, Zeiger E, Knasmueller S, Fenech M (2008) The micronucleus assay in human buccal cells as a tool for biomonitoring DNA damage: the HUMN project perspective on current status and knowledge gaps. Mutation Res/Rev Mutation Res 659:93–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MRREV.2008.03.007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Idolo A, Grassi T, Bagordo F et al (2018) Micronuclei in exfoliated buccal cells of children living in a cluster area of Salento (Southern Italy) with a high incidence of lung cancer: the IMP.AIR study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 15(8):1659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Instituto Nacional de Esadística y Censos (INDEC) (2011) https://www.indec.gob.ar/indec/web/Nivel4-CensoNacional-999-999-Censo-2010 kok et al 2009. Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente. Oficina Regional para América latina y el caribe. http://www.pnuma.org/educamb/documentos/salud_ambiental_basica.pdf.

  • Kok A, Yassi T, Kjellström T, Guidotti L (2009) Salud Ambiental Básica

  • Kruse E, Sarandón R, Schnack E, et al (2011) El cambio climático y las condiciones ambientales en los Partidos de La Plata, Berisso y Ensenada, Provincia de Buenos Aires: aspectos preliminares. III Congreso Internacional sobre Cambio Climático y Desarrollo Sustentable, 8 al 11 de agosto de 2011, La Plata, Argentina 9

  • León-Mejía G, Quintana M, Debastiani R, Dias J, Espitia-Pérez L, Hartmann A, Henriques JA, da Silva J (2014) Genetic damage in coal miners evaluated by buccal micronucleus cytome assay. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 107:133–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECOENV.2014.05.023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li W, Shao L (2009) Transmission electron microscopy study of aerosol particles from the brown hazes in northern China. J Geophys Res 114:9302. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JD011285

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maffei F, Angelini S, Forti GC, Lodi V, Violante FS, Mattioli S, Hrelia P (2002) Micronuclei frequencies in hospital workers occupationally exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation: influence of smoking status and other factors. Mutagenesis 17:405–409. https://doi.org/10.1093/mutage/17.5.405

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Majer BJ, Laky B, Knasmüller S, Kassie F (2001) Use of the micronucleus assay with exfoliated epithelial cells as a biomarker for monitoring individuals at elevated risk of genetic damage and in chemoprevention trials. Mutation Res/Rev Mutation Res 489:147–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1383-5742(01)00068-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Massolo L, Rehwagen M, Porta A et al (2009) Indoor-outdoor distribution and risk assessment of volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere of industrial and urban areas. Environ Toxicol 25:339–349. https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.20504

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mørck TA, Vande Loock K, Bech Poulsen M et al (2016) Micronucleus frequency in Danish schoolchildren and their mothers from the DEMOCOPHES population. Mutagenesis 31:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1093/mutage/gev054

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nath J, Tucker JD, Hando JC (1995) Y chromosome aneuploidy, micronuclei, kinetochores and aging in men. Chromosoma 103:725–731. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344234

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Norppa H, Falck GC-M (2003) What do human micronuclei contain? Mutagenesis 18:221–233

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Özkul Y, Donmez H, Erenmemisoglu A et al (1997) Induction of micronuclei by smokeless tobacco on buccal mucosa cells of habitual users. Mutagenesis 12:285–287. https://doi.org/10.1093/mutage/12.4.285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pastor S, Gutiérrez S, Creus A, Cebulska-Wasilewska A, Marcos R (2001) Micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes and buccal epithelial cells of polish farmers exposed to pesticides. Mutation Res/Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 495:147–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1383-5718(01)00206-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petcheneshsky T (1996) Ministerio De Salud y Acción Social Subsecretaria de Atencion Comunitaria Departamento de Salud Ambiental. Situacion del monitoreo de la calidad del aire en la republica argentina. http://www.msal.gob.ar/politicassocioambientales/images/stories/descargas/recursos/1997_tpetcheneshsky_calidad_del_aire_en_la_ra.pdf

  • Petry NM (2002) A comparison of young, middle-aged, and older adult treatment-seeking pathological gamblers. The Gerontologist 42:92–99. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/42.1.92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ratto EG, Videla F, Reyna Almandos JG, Maronna R (2018) Air quality at La Plata conglomerate. Review and prospective study to improve the present situation, Argentina

    Google Scholar 

  • Reali D, Di Marino F, Bahramandpour S et al (1987) Micronuclei in exfoliated urothelial cells and urine mutagenicity in smokers. Mutat Res Lett 192:145–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-7992(87)90112-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosin MP (1992) The use of the micronucleus test on exfoliated cells to identify anti-clastogenic action in humans: a biological marker for the efficacy of chemopreventive agents. Mutation Res/Fundament Molec Mech Mutagen 267:265–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/0027-5107(92)90071-9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roubicek DA, Gutiérrez-Castillo ME, Sordo M, Cebrián-García ME, Ostrosky-Wegman P (2007) Micronuclei induced by airborne particulate matter from Mexico City. Mutat Res 631(1):9–15

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sellappa S, Sadhanandhan B, Francis A, Vasudevan SG (2010) Evaluation of genotoxicity in petrol station workers in South India using micronucleus assay. Ind Health 48(6):852–856. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.ms1055

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silverman DT, Hartge P, Morrison AS, Devesa SS (1992) Epidemiology of bladder cancer. Hematology/oncology clinics of North America 6(1):1–30

  • Sosa BS, Banda Noriega R, Massolo L et al (2017) Human health risk due to variations in PM 10 -PM 2.5 and associated PAHs levels. Atmos Environ 160:27–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2017.04.004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spivack SD, Hurteau GJ, Jain R, Kumar SV, Aldous KM, Gierthy JF, Kaminsky LS (2004) Gene-environment interaction signatures by quantitative mRNA profiling in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells. Cancer research 64(18):6805–6813.

  • Tolbert PE, Shy CM, Allen JW (1992) Micronuclei and other nuclear anomalies in buccal smears: methods development. Mutation Res/Environ Mutagenesis Related Subjects 271:69–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1161(92)90033-I

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vidal ME (2018) Decreto N°1074-GPBA-18

  • Villarini M, Levorato S, Salvatori T, Ceretti E, Bonetta S, Carducci A, Grassi T, Vannini S, Donato F, Bonetta S, Verani M, De Donno A, Bonizzoni S, Bonetti A, Moretti M, Gelatti U, MAPEC LIFE Study Group (2018) Buccal micronucleus cytome assay in primary school children: a descriptive analysis of the MAPEC_LIFE multicenter cohort study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 221(6):883–892

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vondracek M, Xi Z, Larsson P, Baker V, Mace K, Pfeifer A, Tjälve H, Donato MT, Gomez-Lechon MJ, Grafström RC (2001) Cytochrome P450 expression and related metabolism in human buccal mucosa. Carcinogenesis 22:481–488. https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/22.3.481

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2006) Environmental Health Criteria 237. Principles for evaluating hsealth risks in children associated with exposure to chemicals 157237:351. https://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc237.pdf

  • WHO (2018) WHO global urban ambient air pollution database (update 2018). In: WHO. https://www.who.int/phe/health_topics/outdoorair/databases/cities/en/. Accessed 23 Apr 2019

  • Wichmann FA, Müller A, Busi LE, Cianni N, Massolo L, Schlink U, Porta A, Sly PD (2009) Increased asthma and respiratory symptoms in children exposed to petrochemical pollution. J Allergy Clin Immunol 123:632–638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2008.09.052

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Medical Association (2001) World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. Bull World Health Organ 79:373–374

    Google Scholar 

  • Wultsch G, Nersesyan A, Kundi M, Jakse R, Beham A, Wagner KH, Knasmueller S (2014) The sensitivity of biomarkers for genotoxicity and acute cytotoxicity in nasal and buccal cells of welders. Int J Hyg Environ Health 217:492–498. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJHEH.2013.09.005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

The present study received financial support from the National University of La Plata (UNLP), University of Buenos Aires (UBA), National University of San Martín (UNSAM), the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), the Scientific Research Center (CIC), and the National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion, PICT Subsidy 2012-0328y.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Environmental Research (CIM) Faculty of Exact Sciences, CONICET, National University of La Plata, Boulevard 120 No. 1489, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    María de los A. Gutiérrez, Daniela S. Giuliani & Darío Andrinolo

  2. Biodiversity and Experimental Biology Department, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Av. Int. Güiraldes No. 2160, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Mónica A. Palmieri

  3. Center for Research and Development in Applied Sciences (CINDECA), Faculty of Exact Sciences, CONICET, CIC-PBA, National University of La Plata, 47 y 115 No. 257, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Jorge E. Colman Lerner

  4. Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Marcelo T. de Alvear 2142, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Guillermo Maglione & Deborah R. Tasat

  5. School of Science and Technology, National University of San Martín, 25 de Mayo y Francia, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Deborah R. Tasat

Authors
  1. María de los A. Gutiérrez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mónica A. Palmieri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Daniela S. Giuliani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jorge E. Colman Lerner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Guillermo Maglione
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Darío Andrinolo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Deborah R. Tasat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jorge E. Colman Lerner.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Constantini Samara

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

de los A. Gutiérrez, M., Palmieri, M.A., Giuliani, D.S. et al. Monitoring human genotoxicity risk associated to urban and industrial Buenos Aires air pollution exposure. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 13995–14006 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-07863-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-07863-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation