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. 2008 Jun 3:7:26.
doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-7-26.

Pollutant effects on genotoxic parameters and tumor-associated protein levels in adults: a cross sectional study

Sam De Coster  1 , Gudrun Koppen, Marc Bracke, Carmen Schroijen, Elly Den Hond, Vera Nelen, Els Van de Mieroop, Liesbeth Bruckers, Maaike Bilau, Willy Baeyens, Greet Schoeters, Nik van Larebeke
Affiliations

Pollutant effects on genotoxic parameters and tumor-associated protein levels in adults: a cross sectional study

Sam De Coster et al. Environ Health. .

Abstract

Background: This study intended to investigate whether residence in areas polluted by heavy industry, waste incineration, a high density of traffic and housing or intensive use of pesticides, could contribute to the high incidence of cancer observed in Flanders.

Methods: Subjects were 1583 residents aged 50-65 from 9 areas with different types of pollution. Cadmium, lead, p,p'-DDE, hexachlorobenzene, PCBs and dioxin-like activity (Calux test) were measured in blood, and cadmium, t,t'-muconic acid and 1-hydroxypyrene in urine. Effect biomarkers were prostate specific antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen and p53 protein serum levels, number of micronuclei per 1000 binucleated peripheral blood cells, DNA damage (comet assay) in peripheral blood cells and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine in urine. Confounding factors were taken into account.

Results: Overall significant differences between areas were found for carcinoembryonic antigen, micronuclei, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine and DNA damage. Compared to a rural area with mainly fruit production, effect biomarkers were often significantly elevated around waste incinerators, in the cities of Antwerp and Ghent, in industrial areas and also in other rural areas. Within an industrial area DNA strand break levels were almost three times higher close to industrial installations than 5 kilometres upwind of the main industrial installations (p < 0.0001). Positive exposure-effect relationships were found for carcinoembryonic antigen (urinary cadmium, t,t'-muconic acid, 1-hydroxypyrene and blood lead), micronuclei (PCB118), DNA damage (PCB118) and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (t,t'-muconic acid, 1-hydroxypyrene). Also, we found significant associations between values of PSA above the p90 and higher values of urinary cadmium, between values of p53 above the p90 and higher serum levels of p,p'-DDE, hexachlorobenzene and marker PCBs (PCB 138, 153 and 180) and between serum levels of p,p'-DDE above the p90 and higher serum values of carcinoembryonic antigen. Significant associations were also found between effect biomarkers and occupational or lifestyle parameters.

Conclusion: Levels of internal exposure, and residence near waste incinerators, in cities, or close to important industries, but not in areas with intensive use of pesticides, showed positive correlations with biomarkers associated with carcinogenesis and thus probably contribute to risk of cancer. In some rural areas, the levels of these biomarkers were not lower than in the rest of Flanders.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of the 9 areas in which participants for the biomonitoring program were recruited.
Figure 2
Figure 2
PSA levels above p90: association with higher urinary cadmium concentrations.
Figure 3
Figure 3
p53 levels above p90: association with higher serum marker PCB concentrations.
Figure 4
Figure 4
p53 levels above p90: association with higher serum p,p'-DDE concentrations.
Figure 5
Figure 5
p53 levels above p90: association with higher serum HCB concentrations.
Figure 6
Figure 6
p53 levels above p90: association with higher values of the Index of Internal Exposure (Iex).
Figure 7
Figure 7
p,p'-DDE levels above p90: association with higher serum CEA levels.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Categories of blood cadmium concentrations: association with the number of micronuclei.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Categories of urinary cadmium concentrations: association with the number of micronuclei.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Different smoking categories: association with the number of micronuclei. Category 0: non-smokers; category 1: persons smoked less than 100,000 cigarettes; category 2: persons smoked at least 100,000 but less than 200,000 cigarettes; category 3: persons smoked at least 200,000 cigarettes.
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