Use of a bioindicator system in the study of the mutagenetical effects in the neighborhoods of deposits of radioactive waste.

The purpose of the research described in this paper was to analyze the biological mutational effects caused by low doses of ionizing radiation on biological samples placed nearby and around deposits of radioactive waste, as a way of monitoring the environment close to them. In order to do this, the plant Tradescantia pallida was chosen, and through micronuclei tests the sensitivity of the dose/response to bio-monitoring could be observed. The plants were exposed for a period of 24h in previously chosen sites around Brazil, within the proximity of nuclear waste deposits.