Early DNA damage in pregnant women and their unborn babies that live near to medical solid hazardous waste incinerators, Mexico.

Abstract

Introduction: The “Quetzalcoatl” complex is located in central Mexico in the Huejotzingo municipality, Puebla, with 16 different industries including a medical solid hazardous waste Incinerator (MSHWI) has been functioning for 15 years. Residents and authorities of Huejotzingo, and the Government of Puebla have expressed their concern about the potential exposure to toxic substances and their possible health effects. Objective: To evaluate dioxins and furans blood serum levels and their association with early DNA damage in pregnant women and their babies. Methods: A longitudinal study on 320 pregnant women from Huejotzingo was performed. Three samples of the participants were obtained; one sample was the biomarker of early DNA damage (comet assay). A second sample was obtained to determine dioxin and furan concentrations and a third sample was collected to make micronucleus assay (MN). During the childbirth, a blood sample was obtained from umbilical cord to make comet assay and MN (subsample n=80). A questioner of maternal diet was made to the participants. Results: The average of DNA migration was 24.41?m (range 0-75?m). In the subsample, the MN median of the participants was 5.8 (range 0-22). In umbilical cord sample the DNA migration was 27.7?m, (range 12.5-85) and the MN average was 3.8 (range 0-14). We found a correlation between 12378-Hp-furan concentration and the comet assay (p=0.006). In the regression model it was found that when the concentration of 12378 furan increased and consume of orange or mandarin decreased, the participants exposed had more early DNA damage. In another regression model it was established that when the level of 2378 furan in blood is less there was minor early DNA damage in umbilical cord samples (p=0.01). Conclusion: There is genotoxic damage in pregnant women and their unborn babies by exposure to 2378 and 12378 furans.