The effect of demographic and lifestyle factors on DNA damage among swimming pool users

Abstract

Comet assay has been widely used to measure DNA damage as a marker of exposure to genotoxic events. The use of this method in human biomonitoring studies requires a solid understanding of the main factors that may contribute to DNA damage. Even though many demographic and lifestyle factors have been identified as possible confounders for genetic damage its influence remains controversy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how demographic (age, gender and body mass index) and lifestyle (exercise, smoking habits and hydration status) factors relate to DNA damage.