Tradescantia 4430 clone stamen hair mutation (Trad-SHM) bioassay was used to evaluate the genotoxicity of a herbicide composed of triazines (atrazine and simazine) after in situ exposure. Thirty plant pots were exposed during the herbicide application (test group) and a control group was maintained in a greenhouse (control group). Genotoxicity was expressed in terms of pink mutation events (EMPs) and the data analysis was performed by Student's t test comparing the control and contaminated group after eight-days (C8D = 8-day control; T8D = 8-day test) and peak day (CPD = peak day control; TPD = peak day test). Exposure to the herbicide caused a significantly higher number of EMPs in the test group (T8D = 2.27; TPD = 4.69) than in the control group (C8D = 0.71; CPD = 0.62). This demonstrates that the Trad-SHM bioassay is sensitive and efficient and can be used as tool to assess the genotoxic potential of environmental contaminants like triazines associated with adverse effects on human health.
Pesticides; Genotoxicity; Pink mutations; Environment; Human health
