Abstract

LOPEZ GUZMAN, Olga Dania et al. MICRONUCLEUS IN EXFOLIATED BUCCAL CELLS OF CHILDREN FROM DURANGO, MEXICO, EXPOSED TO ARSENIC THROUGH DRINKING WATER. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2017, vol.33, n.2, pp.281-287. ISSN 0188-4999.  https://doi.org/10.20937/rica.2017.33.02.09.

Exposure to inorganic arsenic (As) via drinking water in Latin America and Mexico is a growing public health concern that requires rapid methods to assess risk and adverse effects. The measurement of micronucleus frequency (MNf) in oral mucosa is a non-invasive and low-cost method for monitoring the genotoxic damage in exposed populations. Mexican children from Durango city, a zone with high water arsenic concentrations, were selected and assigned to three-risk categories (low, medium, high) based on the use of tap or bottled water. Levels of As in water, urine and MNf, were measured. Results indicate a significant correlation between the groups at risk and the frequency of MNf in children (0.9 ± 1.9 MN, 1.1 ± 1.9, and 2.6 ± 2.2 per 1000 buccal cells, respectively); (r = 0.416; p = 0.001). Which demonstrated that the MNf in oral mucosa is an efficient and low-cost technique for assessing and monitoring DNA damage by exposure to As. This study also provides evidence that the modification of risk factors could reduce health risk.

Keywords : genotoxicity; natural pollution; vulnerable population; environmental risk.