Determination of possible genotoxic risks related to toxic substances resulted from coal plant in individuals residing Afşin-Elbistan Thermal Power Plant area via comet and chromosomal aberration tests.

Afsin-Elbistan A Thermal Power Plant (TPP) has been established and on duty without a desulphurization unite since 1984. Also the reduced capacity of particulate filter of the power plant introduce more potential risk for human health as more compounds released to the environment. In our study, biomarkers that can predict the environmental risks in early period have been used. Our study, our exposed group was consisted of individuals who were living near Afşin-Elbistan TPP. Possible genotoxic risks caused by TPP emissions exposure were evaluated by comet and Chromosomal Aberration (CA) tests. DNA repair capacities of the exposed population were also analyzed by comet test. 1-OHP which is thought to be biomarker of exposure to PAH compounds were determined by HPLC method in urine. Tail intensity levels which were selected as a marker of the genotoxic damage were found significantly higher (p<0,001) in exposed individuals then control group, respectively (8,79±1,88 , 7,12±1,88). According to the multiple regression analyze, age and living area has effects on the impact. The frequencies of the CA found higher but not significant in exposed group than controls, respectively (0,71±0,94, 0,49±0,71). When we compare repair capacitie % percentages of the groups in 20th and 60th minutes, exposed population has significantly lower levels then control group. We found that, % repair capacities of 20th and 60th minutes are not affected by risk factors according to the multiple regressions. The genotoxic susceptibility to H2O2 treatment was found to be not-significantly higher in exposed group than control group respectively (13,46±4,36, 12,48±4,26). The mean levels for 1-OHP for exposed group was found significantly higher than (p<0,001) controls, respectively (0,42±0,13, 0,25±0,07).