Bioremediation of soils contaminated by PAHs: Mutagenicity as a tool to validate environmental quality.

Bioremediation can be used as one of the decontamination techniques for areas contamined by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However the effective biodegradation of these compounds must take into account the possible toxic and mutagenic effects that might persist. In this study the mutagenic potential of soil samples from an area contaminated by wood preservatives was evaluated.

Soil mutagenicity - Effects of acidification and organic pollutants in urban/industrial areas.

This study aimed to analyze (i) the effect of different acid extractions, simulating changes in the background pH of rain on the availability of soil mutagenic compounds, (ii) the presence of organic compounds in soil and (iii) evaluation of the effects of soil sieving on the samples mutagenicity. Surface soil samples were collected at urban and industrial areas and assessed as total grain size composition (Total Soil) and in sieved fraction <0.5 mm (Soil <0.

Assessment of sediment mutagenicity in areas under the influence of a contaminated site undergoing a remediation process.

Soil contamination enters aquatic ecosystems affecting sediment quality. The region studied is the Taquari River, Brazil, close to a site contaminated by wood preservatives, with a runoff route into the river. The first stage of the remediation process (In this article, the terms intervention and remediation have been used with slightly different meanings.

Genotoxicity biomarkers for airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) in an area under petrochemical influence.

The effects of fine inhalable particles (PM2.5) were evaluated in an area under the influence of a petrochemical industry, investigating the sensitivity of different genotoxicity biomarkers. Organic extracts were obtained from PM2.

Evaluation of area contaminated by wood treatment activities: Genetic markers in the environment and in the child population.

Wood preservation activities and related compounds are a problem since these areas have major environmental contamination liabilities which compromise the health of the surrounding population and the integrity of ecological processes. The present study evaluated an area influenced by soil contamination arising from the activities of a deactivated wood treatment plant. The presence and effect of mutagenic compounds in environmental samples were used as markers of exposure together with the evaluation biomarkers of genetic damage in children.

Attic dust assessment near a wood treatment plant: past air pollution and potential exposure.

The wood treatment process uses substances that generate hazardous compounds that may contaminate environmental compartments. In the present study, an area under influence of a deactivated wood treatment plant was investigated to evaluate past air pollution and to try to understand local air dispersion. Attic dust samples were collected from eight residences around the plant and from two residences outside this area, as reference samples.

Comparative genotoxicity of airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) using Salmonella, plants and mammalian cells.

This study compared genotoxicity in bacteria, plants and cell cultures in areas at risk of exposure to airborne pollution. Genotoxicity of moderately polar organic extracts of PM2.5 from areas with urban airborne pollution (Site 1) and urban-industrial pollution (Site 2) was evaluated using microsuspension assays in Salmonella/microsome, micronucleus test with Tradescantia pallida (Trad-MN) with acute exposure, and in V79 (V79-MN) cells, Comet assay in V79 and human lymphocyte, besides Trad-MN in situ at Site 1.

Toxicogenetic monitoring in urban cities exposed to different airborne contaminants.

Microparticles found in the air may be associated with organic matter that contains several compounds, such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-PAHs, and may pose a significant risk to human health, possibly leading to DNA mutations and cancers. This study associated genotoxicity assays for evaluating human exposure with the atmospheric air of two urban areas in southern Brazil, that received different atmospheric contributions. Site 1 was under urban-industrial influence and the other was a non-industrial reference, Site 2.

Mutagenicity of particulate matter fractions in areas under the impact of urban and industrial activities.

Organisms in the environment are exposed to a mixture of pollutants. Therefore the purpose of this study was to analyze the mutagenicity of organic and inorganic responses in two fractions of particulates (TSP and PM2.5) and extracts (organic and aqueous).

Soil mutagenicity as a strategy to evaluate environmental and health risks in a contaminated area.

Soil can be a storage place and source of pollutants for interfacial environments. This study looked at a site contaminated with wood preservatives as a source of mutagens, defined routes and extent of the dispersion of these contaminants by particle remobilization and atmospheric deposition, considering an evaluation of risk to human health by quantifying mutagenic risk. Soil sampling sites were chosen at gradually increasing distances (150, 500 and 1700m) from SI (industrial area pool) and indoor dust (pool in an area at risk at 385m and at 1700m).

Runoff of genotoxic compounds in river basin sediment under the influence of contaminated soils.

Contaminated sites must be analyzed as a source of hazardous compounds in the ecosystem. Contaminant mobility in the environment may affect sources of surface and groundwater, elevating potential risks. This study looked at the genotoxic potential of samples from a contaminated site on the banks of the Taquari River, RS, Brazil, where potential environmental problems had been identified (pentachlorophenol, creosote and hydrosalt CCA).

Salmonella mutagenicity assessment of airborne particulate matter collected from urban areas of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, differing in anthropogenic influences and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels.

Urban areas are both major sources and major targets of air pollution. The atmospheric environment receives diverse chemical substances, including genotoxic agents that may affect human health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the atmospheric quality in two urban areas in Rio Grande do Sul State (Brazil), under the influence of greater (Site 1) or lesser (Site 2) anthropogenic sources.

Mutagenicity assessment in a river basin influenced by agricultural, urban and industrial sources.

The genotoxic potential of samples from a river basin under impact of agricultural, urban and industrial activities was studied, to investigate the influence of climatic variations on the mutagenicity. Three sites were analyzed, a reference-SI121-and two with strong anthropic influence-SI028 and SI008. The Salmonella/microsome assay was performed in the presence/absence of hepatic metabolic system in samples of water and organic extracts.

Genetic biomonitoring of an urban population exposed to mutagenic airborne pollutants.

Biomonitoring studies have increased as a consequence of risks and effects to human health on exposure to environmental contaminants, mainly air pollutants. Genetic biomarkers are useful tools for the early assessment of exposure to occupational and environmental pollution. The objective of the present study was to investigate genotoxic effects on people residing and/or working downwind from an oil refinery in southern Brazil and the mutagenic activity of airborne particulate matter (PM10).

Evaluation of mutagenic activity in supply water at three sites in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

In this study, the Salmonella/microsome assay, using the micro-suspension method, was utilized to evaluate water for public supply at three sites in Rio Grande do Sul. The first site selected was in an area under industrial influence and the others were in non-industrial reference areas. Based on 40 L samples of raw water and/or after conventional treatment, compounds were extracted with XAD4 resins using natural and acidic pH, and the extracts were analyzed in the TA98 and TA100 strains with and without S9.

Genotoxicity and toxicity assessment in urban hydrographic basins.

The genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of water in small urban basins was evaluated by the Salmonella/microsome assay and micronucleus test in V79 cells. The results showed that the cytotoxic effect was the most significant response in areas with medium to heavy urban occupation for both assays evaluated. Water samples from these areas include different concentrations of chloroform, bromodichloromethane, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene and 1,4-dichlorobenzene.

Determination of sediment mutagenicity and cytotoxicity in an area subjected to petrochemical contamination.

This study is an evaluation of the mutagenic and cytotoxic activity of sediments in Bom Jardim stream, one of the tributaries of the Cai River basin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This stream receives an indirect contribution of treated effluent from a petrochemical plant. The Salmonella/microsome assay, a microsuspension method, was used to evaluate moderately polar extracts of sediment samples at three points along the stream.

Mutagenicity of sediment and biomarkers of oxidative stress in fish from aquatic environments under the influence of tanneries.

The mutagenicity of interstitial water and organic extracts from the sediments in the Cadeia and Feitoria Rivers, RS, Brazil, were evaluated by Salmonella microsuspension bioassay using TA97a, TA98, TA100 and TA102 strains, in the absence and presence of S9 mix. At the contaminated site, the mutagenic responses for interstitial water, suggested the presence of frameshift and base pair substitution mutagens, including oxidative substances. Organic extracts presented direct or indicative mutagenesis to the TA97a, TA98 and TA100 strains.