Monitoring of Genotoxicity and Cytotoxicity in Peripheral Lymphocyte Cultures of Individuals Living in the Thermal Power Plant Region

Thermal pollution is most often caused by thermal power plants that uses large amounts of water from a natural source and discharges heated wastewater back to its source. In the present study, the monitoring of the possible genotoxic or antigenotoxic potential based on micronucleus assay and the possible cytotoxic or anticytotoxic effects based on mitotic index and replication index parameters in peripheral lymphocyte cell cultures of individuals exposed to toxic substances from thermal power plant. While the micronucleus values of the exposed group were higher than non-exposed group, mitotic and replication indexes of the exposed group were lower than the non-exposed group. In addition, age showed the low negative correlation with micronucleus and the low positive correlation with cell proliferations. The genotoxicity and cytotoxicity indicated by changes in parameters were probably caused by inhalation of gases released into the atmosphere from the thermal power plant for many years. Individuals living around thermal power plants are constantly exposed to toxic substances and may not have sufficient knowledge about the importance of exposure. Therefore, it is very important to provide training on risks and how to take preventive measures.