%0 Journal Article
%T Genotoxicity Studies Performed in the Ecuadorian Population
%A C¨¦sar Paz-y-Mi£¿o
%A Nadia Cumbal
%A Mar¨ªa Eugenia S¨¢nchez
%J Molecular Biology International
%D 2012
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2012/598984
%X Genotoxicity studies in Ecuador have been carried out during the past two decades. The focuses of the research were mainly the area of environmental issues, where the populations have been accidentally exposed to contaminants and the area of occupational exposure of individuals at the workplace. This paper includes studies carried out in the population of the Amazon region, a zone known for its rich biodiversity as well as for the ecological damage caused by oil spills and chemical sprayings whose consequences continue to be controversial. Additionally, we show the results of studies comprised of individuals occupationally exposed to toxic agents in two very different settings: flower plantation workers exposed to pesticide mixtures and X-ray exposure of hospital workers. The results from these studies confirm that genotoxicity studies can help evaluate current conditions and prevent further damage in the populations exposed to contaminants. As such, they are evidence of the need for biomonitoring employers at risk, stricter law enforcement regarding the use of pesticides, and increasingly conscientious oil extraction activities. 1. Introduction Genotoxicity is a collective term that refers to any process that affects the structural integrity of DNA [1]. This multidisciplinary field of research aims to detect compounds capable of causing DNA damage in hopes of understanding the biological consequences of genotoxic agents and their involvement in the alteration of the molecular mechanisms of the genetic material [2]. These consequences can eventually lead to carcinogenic processes [3]. Over the past century, industrialization and globalization of the western hemisphere lead to the high volume production of different chemicals and complex preparations that are still currently released into the environment [4]. Living organisms are increasingly being exposed to genotoxic agents whose growing presence in the biosphere can substantially harm the population [5]. Activities such as fuel extraction and glyphosate spraying in the Amazon region of Ecuador are the two most controversial environmental health issues in the nation and are still considered as latent threats whose consequences continue to be studied [6, 7]. Agriculture in Ecuador is the second most important productive activity that contributes to national income [8]. However, the lack of regulation regarding pesticide use and occupational safety pose a significant threat to the workers¡¯ health [9]. Additionally, various studies have focused on individuals exposed to radiation in the workplace, such as
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/mbi/2012/598984/