US EPA

1519068 

Journal Article 

Fish micronucleus assay to assess genotoxic potential of arsenic at its guideline exposure in aquatic environment 

Kumar, A; Kesari, VP; Khan, PK 

2013 

Yes 

BioMetals
ISSN: 0966-0844
EISSN: 1572-8773 

26 

2 

337-346 

English 

23494554 

10.1007/s10534-013-9620-8 

WOS:000319802100012 

http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10534-013-9620-8
Exit
 

The exposure to arsenic, a potential genotoxic carcinogen in humans, via drinking water is a serious worldwide health hazard. The arsenic content of 10 μg L(-1) in drinking water, however, has been established as its guideline standard (maximum contaminant limit) that has been estimated to pose minimum risk to cancer. Since micronucleus induction in the erythrocytes of fish is a sensitive indicator of genotoxic agents in water, the piscine micronucleus assay was used in the present experiment to assess the genotoxic potential of arsenic at its various exposure levels including the guideline value for drinking water. The experiments were conducted in two different species of fishes, the pond murrel (Channa punctatus) and the goldfish (Carassius auratus). Significant increases in the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes were documented in a dose-dependent manner in both Channa and Carassius. The fishes, however, exhibited variations in inter-specific sensitivity to micronucleus induction following arsenic exposure. The exposure level of arsenic at its guideline value for drinking water, therefore, exhibited marked genotoxicity in fishes. 

Arsenic; Genotoxicity; Fish; Guideline value; Micronucleus