Atmospheric pollution in Kosovo is associated
with increased DNA damage in the human
population

• Authors: Avdulla J. Alija , Fisnik Asllani , Ismet D. Bajraktari , Andrew Richard Collins , Shemsedin Dreshaj , Nikolaus Bresgen , Peter M. Eckl
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

In order to assess DNA damage associated with
exposure to environmental pollution in two polluted sites
and one control site in Kosovo, whole blood samples were
collected from volunteers in two polluted areas (Kastriot/
Obiliq - lignite-based power plants and lignite mines - and
Drenas/Gllogovc - Ferronikeli smelting plant) as well as
from Peja, representing an unpolluted area. White blood
cells were isolated, and DNA damage was analyzed by the
alkaline comet assay. Significantly higher levels of DNA
damage (strand breaks) were found in white blood cells
from subjects living in the polluted areas compared with
residents of the unpolluted city, indicating a potential
threat to human health.

Keywords

EN

Comet Assay; DNA damage; Environmentalpollution; Kosovo

• Publisher: De Gruyter Open
• Journal: Biomonitoring
• Year: 2015
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 1

Dates

accepted

14 - 12 - 2015

online

25 - 1 - 2016

received

9 - 10 - 2015

Contributors

author

Avdulla J. Alija

• Department of
  Biology, University of Prishtina, Xhorxh Bush, n.n.,10000, Prishtina,
  Kosovo

author

Fisnik Asllani

• Department of
  Biology, University of Prishtina, Xhorxh Bush, n.n.,10000, Prishtina,
  Kosovo

author

Ismet D. Bajraktari

• Department of
  Biology, University of Prishtina, Xhorxh Bush, n.n.,10000, Prishtina,
  Kosovo

author

Andrew Richard Collins

• Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic
  Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, PB 1046 Blindern, 0316 Oslo,
  Norway

author

Shemsedin Dreshaj

• Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina,
  Xhorxh Bush Street, n.n.,10000, Prishtina, Kosovo

author

Nikolaus Bresgen

• Department of Cell Biology, University
  of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria

author

Peter M. Eckl

• Department of Cell Biology, University
  of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria

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Identifiers

DOI

10.1515/bimo-2015-0006