A battery of DNA effect biomarkers to evaluate environmental exposure of Flemish adolescents.

The article discusses the study on the evaluation of a battery of genotoxicity in healthy Flemish adolescents and their relationships with the common environmental pollutants in the U.S. It notes that DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) which was reflected by a comet assay appeared to be the most sensitive to ozone, and to a lesser extent to orthocresol. Moreover, the alkaline comet assay of whole blood cells and the urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine concentration were evaluated on individuals ages 17 to 18 years old, and the results from a characteristic form of oxidative DNA damage appears in the urine with specific marker for oxidative stress. In addition, both biological effective dose markers reflect short DNA damage.