The "comet" assay for detection of potential genotoxicity of polluted water

The aim of this study was to determine the potential genotoxic activity of polluted water samples taken from wastewater from selected industrial plants in Kraków: 1. the Thermal-electric Power Station 2. the Institute of Metal Cutting. The recently developed single cell gel assay (SCG or comet assay), which is a quick and simple technique for the evaluation of DNA damage and repair in individual cells, was used. The assay was carried out on human hepatoma cells (Hep G2) as target cells. A greater number of cells with comets was observed in those treated in vitro with the polluted water samples (70%-88%) than in those in the control (22%, 33%). These preliminary results indicate that comet assay can have an application in biomonitoring studies for determining the potential genotoxicity of water pollutants.