Evaluation of air pollution genotoxic effects in children by the buccal micronucleus cytome assay

Background Epidemiological studies have found a consistent association between exposure to air pollution, especially to particulate matter (PM), and the incidence and mortality for several chronic diseases such as lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Among the mechanisms responsible for these adverse effects, genotoxic damage is of particular concern. Children are a high risk group with respect to the short- and long-term effects …