Prenatal, Early Life, and Childhood Exposure to Genotoxicants in the Living Environment

Abstract

Health disorders and diseases related to environmental exposure in children such as cancer and immunologic disturbances (asthma, allergies) are on the rise. However, complex transplacental and prepubertal genotoxicology is given very limited consideration, even though intrauterine development and early childhood may be critical for elucidating the cancer aetiology. The foetus is transplacentally exposed to contaminants in food and environment such as various chemicals, drugs, radiochemically contaminated water and air. Target organs of xenobiotic action may differ between the mother and the foetus due to specifi c stage of developmental physiology and enzyme distribution. This in turn may lead to different levels of clastogenic and aneugenic metabolites of the same xenobiotic in the mother and the foetus. Adult's protective behaviour is not suffi cient to isolate children from radioisotopes, pesticides, toxic metals and metalloids, environmental tobacco smoke, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and various food contaminants, which are just a part of the stressors present in a polluted environment. In order to improve legislation related to foetus and child exposure to genotoxic and possibly carcinogenic agents, oncologists, paediatricians, environmental health specialists, and genotoxicologists should work together much more closely to make a more effective use of accumulated scientifi c data, with the fi nal aim to lower cancer incidence and mortality.

Oxidative stress and metal carcinogenesis

“…Potential sources of metal exposure include groundwater contamination, metal working, leather tanning, and mining [1][2][3][4]. In addition to environmental and occupational settings, a variety of uses in medicine can result in exposure to different forms of metals [5,6].…”

Effects of Smoking during Pregnancy on DNA Damage and ROS Level Consequences in Maternal and Newborns’ Blood

“…Apart from the general health effects on adults, it has also been shown that cigarette smoking effects unborn babies, as well as children who are exposed to tobacco smoke as passive smokers (1)(2)(3). Epidemiological data (2,4) show that tobacco smoke is associated with detrimental effects on foetal growth, low birth weight and preterm deliveries.…”

“…It is well-documented that cigarette smoke is a threat to general health with specific and direct consequences in the form of heart and pulmonaryrelated diseases and various cancers (1)(2)(3). Apart from the general health effects on adults, it has also been shown that cigarette smoking effects unborn babies, as well as children who are exposed to tobacco smoke as passive smokers (1)(2)(3).…”

A brief observational instrument for the assessment of infant home environment: development and psychometric testing

“…Indoor climatic conditions, structural deficiencies and physical shortcomings may be salient aspects of housing quality for psychological health (Evans et al , ; Evans et al , ). In addition, exposure to secondary tobacco smoke may be a risk factor for children's healthy development (for a review, see Katic et al , ).…”

“…Indoor climatic conditions, structural deficiencies and physical shortcomings may be salient aspects of housing quality for psychological health (Evans et al, 2000;Evans et al, 2003). In addition, exposure to secondary tobacco smoke may be a risk factor for children's healthy development (for a review, see Katic et al, 2010). The television is on in the residence (-) Note: Values are factor loadings and communalities (h 2 ) for EFA using geomin rotations in 3406 families.…”