Browsing by Author "Coelho, Patrícia"
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- Biomonitorização de populações residentes em áreas de exploração mineira: o caso da envolvente da mina da PanasqueiraPublication . Coelho, Patrícia; Costa, Solange; Costa, Carla; Silva, Susana; Teixeira, João Paulo
- Cytogenetic and DNA damage on workers exposed to styrenePublication . Teixeira, João Paulo; Gaspar, Jorge; Coelho, Patrícia; Costa, Carla; Pinho-Silva, Susana; Costa, Solange; Da Silva, Susana; Laffon, Blanca; Pássaro, Eduardo; Rueff, José; Farmer, PeterStyrene is a commercially important chemical widely used in the manufacture of synthetic rubber, resins, polyesters and plastics. The highest levels of human exposure to styrene occur during the production of reinforced plastic products. The objective of this work was to evaluate both DNA and cytogenetic damage in styrene-exposed workers, analysing only non-smoker individuals. Environmental levels of styrene and urinary concentrations of mandelic and phenylglyoxylic acids were determined, and genetic damage was studied by means of micronucleus (MN) test, sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and comet assay. Fifty-two fibreglass-reinforced plastics workers and 54 controls took part in the study. The mean air concentration of styrene in the breathing zone of workers exceeded the threshold limit value, and 24 workers exceeded the biological exposure index. A strong and significant correlation was found between styrene environmental concentrations and urinary metabolites. Higher SCE rate (P<0.01) was observed in exposed workers than in controls. Besides, significant correlations were obtained for SCE rate with both environmental and internal exposure parameters (r=0.496, P<0.01 and r=0.511, P<0.01, respectively). Results from MN test and comet assay showed slight and non-significant increases related to the exposure. Our data seem to support previous studies reporting genotoxicity associated with occupational exposure to styrene, excluding the confounding influence of smoking, although caution must be taken in the interpretation of these results since the significance of an increase in SCE rate is still unclear.
- Estudo do potencial genotóxico do formaldeído em contexto profissional: Projeto GenFAPublication . Costa, Solange; Costa, Carla; Coelho, Patrícia; Silva, Susana; Aguiar, Lívia; Porto, Beatriz; Teixeira, João Paulo
- Micronucleus analysis in a portuguese population exposed to pesticides:preliminary surveyPublication . Costa, Carla; Silva, Susana; Coelho, Patrícia; Roma-Torres, Joana; Teixeira, João PauloThe general population is exposed in their everyday life to different chemicals namely to pesticides. Many of these compounds are capable of inducing mutations in DNA and lead to several diseases including cancer. With this study we intended to evaluate DNA damage inflicted by pesticide exposure in a population occupationally exposed to those chemicals by means of the micronucleus (MN) test. The obtained results showed a significant increase in MN frequency in occupationally exposed individuals (po0.001) compared with the control group. Higher frequencies of MN were associated with a specific workplace (greenhouses) and the lack of protective measures (gloves) during labour activities. These results reinforce that conditions in workplace should be improved to minimize exposure to these chemicals. This study also emphasizes the need to reinforce the good practices campaigns in order to enlighten those who work with pesticides on the potential hazard of occupational exposure and the importance of using protective measures.
- Mining activities: health impactsPublication . Candeias, Carla; Ávila, Paula; Coelho, Patrícia; Teixeira, João P.Mining is an important economic activity with potential to contribute to the development of economies. At the same time, environmental and health impacts of mining on surrounding communities are of major concern. Potential human health risks occur at most stages of the mining life cycle, from exploration to mine closure, and may result from both surface and subsurface mines. Mining activities include the use of toxic chemicals and waste disposals with health impacts on miners and local populations and also with adverse environmental impacts on the surrounding environment. Human health impacts result from long term and systematic exposure, ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact with toxic heavy metals, acidic drainage and toxic chemicals. Inhalations of dust and air particulate matters are among the significant pathways of carcinogenic pollutants into the human body. Health impacts can also result from soil and water pollution due to the mine contaminants migration by erosion and weathering and chemical dispersion such as acid drainages from mine wastes and tailings. By applying appropriate practices, health effects due to mining activities can by mitigated or avoided. Legislation requires that mine administrators manage health and safety properly to provide safe places to work and live.