MICRONUCLEUS IN EXFOLIATED BUCCAL CELLS OF CHILDREN FROM DURANGO, MEXICO, EXPOSED TO ARSENIC THROUGH DRINKING WATER

Abstract

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.