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Biomonitoring of tunnel workers exposed to heavy air pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Abstract

Epidemiological studies found an increased risk of cancers in occupants exposed to traffic air pollution. Fine particulate matter is toxic, can enter into the respiratory tract and circulatory system, and can adsorb various substances, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and its amino, alkyl, and nitro derivates. The study was carried out with Rebouças tunnel workers (exposed group) and 11 healthy men (control group). This tunnel is very representative of Brazilian cities and the biggest tunnel of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Samples of buccal mucosa cells and peripheral blood were evaluated using micronucleus assay. Urine samples were used to estimate the concentration of 1-hydroxyprene (1-HOP) and 2-naphthol (2-NAP). A significantly higher frequency of micronucleus in buccal cells and binucleated lymphocytes was observed for the exposed workers than for the control group. Higher concentrations of 1-HOP and 2-NAP were detected in the exposure group. In conclusion, damage to the genetic material and the high concentrations of metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons detected in the biological samples taken from control group can be related to daily exposure to pollutants.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Rebouças tunnel workers and Rio de Janeiro State University workers for their collaboration. FAPERJ, CAPES, and CNPq supported this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University, 20551-030, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Claudia R. Rainho & Israel Felzenszwalb

  2. Faculty of Technology, Rio de Janeiro State University, 27537-000, Resende, RJ, Brazil

    Sérgio M. Corrêa

  3. Biomedical Institute, Rio de Janeiro State Federal University, 20211-040, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Claudia A. F. Aiub

Authors
  1. Claudia R. Rainho
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  2. Sérgio M. Corrêa
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  3. Claudia A. F. Aiub
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  4. Israel Felzenszwalb
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sérgio M. Corrêa.

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All procedures were submitted to and approved by the National Research Ethics Committee, CONEP.

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The participants were informed about the study and asked to sign an informed consent form and to complete a standard questionnaire to obtain necessary data on their lifestyle and personal factors.

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Rainho, C.R., Corrêa, S.M., Aiub, C.A.F. et al. Biomonitoring of tunnel workers exposed to heavy air pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Air Qual Atmos Health 9, 881–886 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-016-0391-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-016-0391-6

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