title: Genetic damage of organic matter in the Brazilian Amazon: a comparative study between intense and moderate biomass burning.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The biomass burning that occurs in the Amazon region has an adverse effect on environmental and human health. However, in this region, there are limited studies linking atmospheric pollution and genetic damage.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a comparative study during intense and moderate biomass burning periods focusing on the genetic damage and physicochemical analyses of the particulate matter (PM).
  
  
  METHODS
  PM and black carbon (BC) were determined; organic compounds were identified and quantified using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, the cyto-genotoxicity test was performed using two bioassays: cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) in A549 cells and Tradescantia pallida micronucleus (Trad-MCN) assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PM10 concentrations were lower than the World Health Organization air quality standard for 24h. The n-alkanes analyses indicate anthropogenic and biogenic influences during intense and moderate biomass burning periods, respectively. Retene was identified as the most abundant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon during both sampling periods. Carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds were identified. The genotoxic analysis through CBMN and Trad-MCN tests showed that the frequency MCN from the intense burning period is significantly higher compared to moderate burning period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study using human alveolar cells to show the genotoxic effects of organic PM from biomass burning samples collected in Amazon region. The genotoxicity of PM can be associated with the presence of several mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds, mainly benzo[a]pyrene. These findings have potential implications for the development of pollution abatement strategies and can minimize negative impact on health.
authors: Biochemistry Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
authors: Nilmara
authors: N
authors: de Oliveira Alves
authors: National School of Public Health at Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: de Souza Hacon
authors: Biochemistry Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
authors: Marcos Felipe
authors: MF
authors: de Oliveira Galvão
authors: Cellular Biology and Genetics Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
authors: Milena
authors: M
authors: Simões Peixotoc
authors: Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Paulo
authors: P
authors: Artaxo
authors: Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Pérola
authors: P
authors: de Castro Vasconcellos
authors: Biochemistry Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil; Cellular Biology and Genetics Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil. Electronic address: sbatistu@cb.ufrn.br.
authors: Silvia Regina Batistuzzo
authors: SR
authors: de Medeiros
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D018533:Biomass; D001938:Brazil; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D009153:Mutagens; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
keywords: Biomass burning; Brazilian Amazon; Genotoxic; Micronuclei; Organic particulate matter