Genotoxic impact of coke oven plant pollution

The study was aimed at assessing the genotoxic impact of coke oven plant pollutants via mutagenic monitoring of occupationally and ambientally exposed persons. The exact concentration of main air chemopollutants, such as smoke, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, cyanides, phenol, ammonia, benzene, xylene and hydrogen sulfide were measured using referent methods recommended by WHO. The mutagenic monitoring comprised 92 examines, divided into three groups; 32 coke plant employees, 20 coke oven area inhabitants and 40 controls. All underwent standard cytogenetic examinations, including conventional structural chromosomal aberration analysis, sister chromatid exchange method and micronucleus test. The results revealed the level of air pollution both in the work environment and in the coke oven area to be markedly elevated and mostly surpassing the maximal permissible one for the particular compound, as prescribed by the current Croatian laws. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in a chromosomal damage incidence between the occupationally and ambientally exposed groups when compared to the controls (p 0.05). The outcome of this study strongly suggests the necessity for setting rigorous criteria when choosing preferences among the available energy sources.