Open AccessAtmospheric pollution in Kosovo is associated with increased DNA damage in the human population
Author(s) -
Avdulla Alija,
Fisnik Asllani,
Ismet D Bajraktari,
Andrew Collins,
Shemsedin Dreshaj,
Nikolaus Bresgen,
Peter Eckl
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
biomonitoring
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2300-4606
DOI - 10.1515/bimo-2015-0006
Subject(s) - comet assay , dna damage , pollution , human health , population , environmental pollution , human blood , toxicology , biology , environmental science , dna , environmental chemistry , environmental health , environmental protection , chemistry , ecology , physiology , medicine , genetics
In order to assess DNA damage associated withexposure to environmental pollution in two polluted sitesand one control site in Kosovo, whole blood samples werecollected from volunteers in two polluted areas (Kastriot/Obiliq - lignite-based power plants and lignite mines - andDrenas/Gllogovc - Ferronikeli smelting plant) as well asfrom Peja, representing an unpolluted area. White bloodcells were isolated, and DNA damage was analyzed by thealkaline comet assay. Significantly higher levels of DNAdamage (strand breaks) were found in white blood cellsfrom subjects living in the polluted areas compared withresidents of the unpolluted city, indicating a potentialthreat to human health