| Author/Editor | Fatur, Tanja; Perharič, Lucija; Hočevar-Grom, Ada | |
| Title | Genotoksično in mutageno delovanje pesticidov, prisotnih v pitni vodi | |
| Type | članek | |
| Source | In: Roš M, editor. Zbornik referatov Simpozij z mednarodno udeležbo Vodni dnevi 2005; 2005 okt 12-13; Portorož. Ljubljana: Slovensko društvo za zaščito voda, | |
| Publication year | 2005 | |
| Volume | str. 119-23 | |
| Language | slo | |
| Abstract | Pesticides are used for pest control, to suppress weeds and plant diseases. However, they may also adversely affect human health. Genotoxicity is one of the possible, highly feared, harmful effects of pesticides on human health. Genotoxic activity induces formation of mutations - persistent changes in structure or amount of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Mutation in somatic (body) cell may result in transformation of normal cell into a cancerous one, followed by tumour formation. Mutations formed in germ cells (egg or sperm) can be transmitted to the offspring, where they can induce the death of the embryo or induce processes resulting in the development of genetically transmitted disease. Genotoxic potential of pesticides is evaluated by a battery of defined assays. In the Monitoring of drinking water in Slovenia the presence of 55 pesticides is surveilled occasionally. Toxicological data exist for 24 of them (4/8 identified and 2/3 that exceeded the limited value) and none of them have been identified to have genotoxic potential using internationally validated and legally prescribed methodology. Genotoxic potential is also determined for some pesticide metabolites, formed in organisms or in the environment. For some pesticides that have been in use for a long time there are no data on genotoxicity nor metabolism. Further, data on possible interaction between the DNA and multiple pesticides or pesticides and other chemicals present in drinking water are mainly lacking. In view of stated uncertainties which reduce our capacity to predict complex interactions between the living organisms ane the environment we believe that caution is justified. We recommend keeping the concentrations of pesticides and their metabolites in in drinking water as low as practically possible. | |
| Descriptors | WATER SUPPLY WATER POLLUTANTS, CHEMICAL PESTICIDES MUTAGENICITY TESTS |