Radon - occurrence and impact on the health.

Radon is noble, monatomic, radioactive, heavier than the air gas. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless. It exists in natural environment as a result of the decay of radium, and emits mainly alpha radiation and less beta radiation. Residential radon concentrations vary widely by geographic area. The higher concentration of radon is expected globally in the grounds where uranium, radium and thoron are present. Radon may gather in caves, tunnels, mines as well as in other lowestlying spaces, such as basements, and cellars. In accordance with Atomic Law (2000), the reference level for the average annual concentration of radioactive radon in rooms intended for human habitation is 300 Bq/m3. The most dangerous damages caused by ionizing radiation i.e. radon and its derivatives are changes to DNA, which may disturb the functions of cells and in the consequence lead to induction of cancer of respiratory tract, mainly of lungs and also leukaemia. So, the main consequence of exposure to high amount of radon are cancers of respiratory system. Radon enters the human organism mainly through inhaled atmospheric air. Moreover, radon significantly increased a risk of induction cancer in smokers and vice versa, smoking promotes the development of lung cancer after the exposure to radon and its derivatives. Radon may also have beneficial effect on the human body. Therefore it is used in medicine; mainly in radonbalneotherapy i.e. bath treatments, rinsing the mouth and inhalation. Beneficial effects of radon confirms the validity of the theory of radiation hormesis, which assumes that low doses of radiation may stimulate the repair of DNA damage by activation of protective mechanisms, which neutralize free radicals.

Comparison of the effects of bisphenol A alone and in a combination with X-irradiation on sperm count and quality in male adult and pubescent mice.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is employed in the manufacturing of epoxy, polyester-styrene, and polycarbonate resins, which are used for the production of baby and water bottles and reusable containers, food and beverage packing, dental fillings and sealants. The study was designed to examine the effects of 8-week exposure (a full cycle of spermatogenesis) to BPA alone and in a combination with X-irradiation on the reproductive organs and germ cells of adult and pubescent male mice. Pzh:Sfis male mice were exposed to BPA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) or X-rays (0.05 Gy) or to a combination of both (0.05 Gy + 5 mg/kg bw BPA). The following parameters were examined: sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and DNA damage in male gametes. Both BPA and X-rays alone diminished sperm quality. BPA exposure significantly reduced sperm count in pubescent males compared to adult mice, with degenerative changes detected in seminiferous epithelium. This may suggest a higher susceptibility of germ cells of younger males to BPA action. Combined BPA with X-ray treatment enhanced the harmful effect induced by BPA alone in male germ cells of adult males, whereas low-dose irradiation showed sometimes protective or additive effects in pubescent mice.

[Induction of micronuclei in peripheral blood and bone marrow reticulocytes of male mice after subchronic exposure to x-rays and bisphenol A]. / Indukcja mikrojader w krwi obwodowej i szpiku kostnym samców myszy narazanych subchronicznie na dzialanie promieniowania x i bisfenolu A.

BACKGROUND: Ionizing radiation and xenoestrogens are widely present in the human environment. Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics, epoxy and polyester resins. BPA is present in a great variety of products including: baby bottles, compact disks, thermal paper, safety helmets, bullet resistant laminate, plastic windows, car parts, adhesives, protective coatings, powder paints, polycarbonate bottles and containers, the sheathing of electrical and electronic parts, dental fillings. Food and beverage cans are protected from rusting and corrosion by the application of epoxy resins as inner coatings. Human activities involving the use of radiation and radioactive materials in industry, agriculture and research cause radiation exposure in addition to natural exposure coming from cosmic rays and naturally occurring radioactive substances. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to estimate the effects of bisphenol A, X-rays and combined exposure to X-rays and bisphenol A on the induction of micronuclei in the peripheral blood and in bone marrow reticulocytes of laboratory mice. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Pzh-Sfis male mice were exposed for 8 weeks. Animals were treated with bisphenol A diluted in drinking water (5 mg/kg bw, 10 mg/kg bw, 20 mg/kg bw), irradiated 0.05 Gy of X-rays or exposed to a combination of both (0.05 Gy + 5 mg/kg bw BPA). The samples of peripheral blood were taken at 1, 4 and 8 week following the start of exposure, whereas the bone marrow after the end of experiment, only. The induction of micronuclei in reticulocytes were evaluated by using fluorescence microscope. RESULTS: Bisphenol A as well as ionizing radiation stimulated induction of micronuclei in peripheral blood and bone marrow reticulocytes. After the irradiation the level of micronuclei increased, whereas after exposure to BPA decreased related to time expired from beginning of experiment. Combined exposure of ionizing radiation and bisphenol A induced significantly higher frequency of micronuclei compared to the effect produced by BPA alone. The frequency of micronuclei in peripheral blood reticulocytes increased during the experiment. In all groups, the significantly lower induction ofmicronuclei in reticulocytes of bone marrow than of peripheral blood were observed. The levels ofmicronuclei in mice exposed to a combination of X-rays and BPA or to irradiation alone were slightly higher compared to those administered to BPA alone. CONCLUSIONS: Bisphenol A induced micronuclei in peripheral blood and bone marrow reticulocytes. Subchronic BPA exposure leads to diminished sensitivity of genetic material of reticulocytes on the induction of damage. X-rays is probably the agent which decided about DNA damage following combined exposure.