title: Are low doses of tritium genotoxic to Mytilus edulis?
abstract: The genotoxic effects of tritium (3H) in the adult life stage of Mytilus edulis have been evaluated by the induction of micronuclei (MN) and DNA single strand breaks/alkali labile sites (Comet assay) in the haemocytes of exposed individuals. Assays were optimised and validated using ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS) as a reference genotoxic agent over different exposure periods. M. edulis were exposed, for 96 h, to a range of concentrations of 3H equivalent to a dose range of 12-485 microGy h(-1). Results revealed a dose-dependent increase for both the MN and Comet assays, and for both EMS and 3H. Since less than 500 microGy h(-1) 3H is capable of inducing genetic damage, generic doses recommended by the IAEA for the protection of aquatic biota may be overestimated for some organisms.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK. a.jha@plymouth.ac.uk
authors.forename: Awadhesh N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Jha
authors.forename: Yuktee
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dogra
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Geoffrey E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Millward
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000379:methods; D004249:DNA Damage; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005020:Ethyl Methanesulfonate / Q000633:toxicity; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods; D049880:Mytilus edulis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014316:Tritium / Q000633:toxicity*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D014316:Tritium; D005020:Ethyl Methanesulfonate