A comprehensive overview of genotoxicity and mutagenicity associated with outdoor air pollution exposure in Brazil

ABSTRACT

This review examined the mutagenicity and genotoxicity associated with exposure to outdoor air pollutants in Brazil. A search was performed on the Web of Science database using a combination of keywords that resulted in 134 articles. After applying exclusion criteria, a total of 75 articles were obtained. The articles were classified into three categories: (1) studies with plants and animals, (2) in vitro studies, and (3) human biomonitoring. The investigations were conducted in 11 of 27 Brazilian states with the highest prevalence in the southeast and south regions. Only 5 investigations focused on the effects of burning biomass on the quality of outdoor air. Plants, especially Tradescantia pallida, were the main air pollution biomonitoring tool. When available, a significant association between levels of air pollutants and genetic damage was described. Among the in vitro studies, Salmonella/microsome is the most used test to evaluate mutagenesis of outdoor air in Brazil (n = 26). Human biomonitoring studies were the least frequent category (n = 18). Most of the investigations utilized micronucleus bioassay, in oral mucosa cells (n = 15) and lymphocytes (n = 5), and the comet assay (n = 6). The analysis in this study points to the existence of gaps in genotoxicity studies and our findings indicate that future studies need to address the variety of potential sources of pollution existing in Brazil. In addition to extent of the impacts, consideration should be given to the enormous Brazilian biodiversity, as well as the determination of the role of socioeconomic inequality of the population in the observed outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• Air pollution
• particulate matter
• plants
• mutagenicity
• human biomonitoring

Acknowledgments

This study was funded in part by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Research Productivity Fellowship, Grant 307518/2019 (VMFV), Grant 310856/2020-5 (FMRSJ), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Grant 21/2551-0001981-6 and supported by the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS) to author CSS. The authors thank Paula Ramires for drawing the maps and Karoline Zenato for reviewing the references.

Authors’ contributions

Vera Vargas: Conceptualization; Data curation; Formal analysis; Investigation; Methodology; Project administration; Roles/Writing– original draft; Writing– review & editing. Flávio da Silva Júnior: Conceptualization; Data curation; Formal analysis; Investigation; Methodology; Roles/Writing– original draft; Writing– review & editing. Tatiana Pereira: Conceptualization; Data curation; Formal analysis; Investigation; Methodology; Roles/Writing–original draft; Writing–review & editing. Cristiana da Silva: Conceptualization; Data curation; Formal analysis; Investigation; Methodology; Roles/Writing– original draft; Writing–review & editing. Mariana Coronas: Conceptualization; Data curation; Formal analysis; Investigation; Methodology; Roles/Writing–original draft; Writing– review & editing.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2023.2175092.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Availability of data and material

All relevant data and material are visible in the manuscript/supplementary material

Consent for publication

The manuscript is reviewed and approved by all authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the CNPQ [307518/2019]; CNPQ [310856/2020-5]; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul [21/2551-0001981-6].