Cytogenetic Biomonitoring in Buccal Mucosal Cells from Children Exposed to Potentially Toxic Elements in Drinking Water: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in children the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of exposure to drinking water contaminated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs). STUDY DESIGN: Forty-nine children (6 and 14 years), residing in a region with environmental PTE contamination, and 19 children from an unexposed region were assessed. Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity were analyzed by the micronucleus assay in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells. Water contamination was evaluated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare the exposed and unexposed groups. Principal component analysis and Spearman's correlation test were used to evaluate the association between cellular effects and each PTE. RESULTS: Significantly higher mean values of binucleated cells and karyolysis were observed in the exposed group, while micronuclei, karyorrhexis, pyknosis, and normal cells were significantly reduced compared with the unexposed group (P ≤ .002). Analysis of drinking water samples from the exposed area revealed lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) concentrations below the maximum permitted values. There was a moderate association between binucleated cells and Pb (r = 0.64) and between karyolysis and As (r = 0.61) and Sb (r = 0.61). Pyknosis and karyorrhexis were negatively correlated with As (r = -0.65 and -0.52) and Sb (r = -0.64 and -0.53). CONCLUSIONS: Children residing in areas with PTE-contaminated water, even at minimal levels, exhibited elevated frequencies of karyolysis and binucleated cells. Although the levels of PTE do not exceed the permitted limits, chronic exposure was associated with DNA damage.