Human biomonitoring in residents of a NORM area using the comet assay, Pernambuco-Brazil

Vinícius Henrique Teixeira Morais; Dewson Rocha Pereira; João Emanuel Firmo Pinto; Osana Diniz Ferreira; Ana Maria Mendonça de Albuquerque Melo

doi:10.15392/2319-0612.2024.2693

Authors

Vinícius Henrique Teixeira Morais Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE , Federal University of Pernambuco https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4650-8753 (unauthenticated)
Dewson Rocha Pereira Federal University of Pernambuco
João Emanuel Firmo Pinto Federal University of Pernambuco
Osana Diniz Ferreira Federal University of Pernambuco
Ana Maria Mendonça de Albuquerque Melo Federal University of Pernambuco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15392/2319-0612.2024.2693

Keywords:

Biomonitoring human, Lymphocytes, DNA, Comet assay

Abstract

Geological research has found areas of uraniferous phosphorite in northeastern Brazil. This region is located along the coast of the states of Paraíba and Pernambuco, Brazil. Its distribution in Pernambuco is located in the Metropolitan Region of Recife/Região Metropolitana do Recife (RMR), covering the municipalities of Abreu e Lima and Olinda. Studies have been carried out in these municipalities, verifying the presence of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) in different matrices: soil, groundwater, air and fruit. Given these facts, the need arose to carry out human biomonitoring (HBM) in residents of these municipalities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess possible DNA damage in the residents of Olinda and Abreu e Lima by means of the comet assay using lymphocytes. The results showed high levels 3 and 4 damage to the DNA of the volunteers in the sample group who are under the influence of NORM, demonstrating a statistically significant difference in the damage index when compared to the control group. It is suggested that the genotoxic results found may be related to the NORM present in the municipality of Abreu e Lima, thus influencing the health of its residents. The research is relevant because it is a pioneer in the generation of scientific knowledge in the area of the study of uraniferous phosphorite using HBM.

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