High levels of Co(NO3)2 for living organisms are toxic. In this study, the protective effects of 2,6-dimethyl-morpholine dithiocarbamate (DMMDTC) against the toxicity of Co(NO3)2 on Allium cepa L. were investigated. Seven groups of onion bulbs were established to investigate the potential effects of DMMDTC against Co(NO3)2 exposure in root tips. These are a control group, two groups of DMMDTC alone in different concentrations, two groups of Co(NO3)2 in different concentrations, and finally, two groups of combined DMMDTC (1,2) + Co (1,2) in different concentrations were applied to onion roots. The effects of the chemicals on physiological parameters, Mitotic Index (MI), Micro Nucleus (MN), genotoxicity and Co(NO3)2 accumulation in the roots were examined. MI analysis revealed that Co(NO3)2 treatments reduced the MI compared to water control by 52.2-46.6%, depending on the concentration. The combinations of DMMDTC + Co(NO3)2 significantly increased MI while decreasing MN compared to the cobalt-only treatments. However the protective effect of DMMDTC against cobalt toxicity was limited when the data compared to the water control. The heavy damage to epidermis cells and nucleus was also observed in those cobalt applied groups. Co(NO3)2 accumulation in the roots, compared to water control, was also high in Co1-Co2 groups. The DMMDTC used in this study had effects similar to those of plant extracts in reducing genotoxic effects. Therefore, the research highlights the potential benefits of using synthesized DMMDTC on Allium cepa against the toxic effects of cobalt.

Coal mining has significant economic and environmental implications. The extraction and combustion of coal release harmful chemicals and dust, impacting air, soil, and water quality, as well as natural habitats and human health. This study aimed to investigate the association between global DNA methylation, DNA damage biomarkers (including telomere length), and inorganic element concentrations in the blood of individuals exposed to coal mining dust. Additionally, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed. The study included 150 individuals exposed to coal mining and 120 unexposed controls. Results showed significantly higher global DNA hypermethylation in the exposed group compared to controls. Moreover, in the exposed group, micronucleus frequency and age showed a significant correlation with global DNA hypermethylation. Blood levels of inorganic elements, including titanium, phosphorus, sodium, aluminum, iron, sulfur, copper, chromium, zinc, chlorine, calcium, and potassium, were potentially associated with DNA methylation and oxidative damage, as indicated by comet assay results. Furthermore, exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as fluoranthene, naphthalene, and anthracene, emitted in mining particulate matter, may contribute to these effects. These findings highlight the complex interplay between genetic instability, global DNA hypermethylation, and environmental exposure in coal mining areas, emphasizing the urgent need for effective mitigation strategies.

This study evaluates DNA damage and multi-element exposure in populations from La Mojana, a region of North Colombia heavily impacted by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). DNA damage markers from the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-Cyt) assay, including micronucleated binucleated cells (MNBN), nuclear buds (NBUDs) and nucleoplasmic bridges (NPB), were assessed in 71 exposed individuals and 37 unexposed participants. Exposed individuals had significantly higher MNBN frequencies (PR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.02-1.57, p = 0.039). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified the Soil-Derived Mining-Associated Elements (PC1), including V, Fe, Al, Co, Ba, Se and Mn, as being strongly associated with high MNBN frequencies in the exposed population (PR = 10.45, 95% CI: 9.75-12.18, p < 0.001). GAMLSS modeling revealed non-linear effects of PC1, with greater increases in MNBN at higher concentrations, especially in exposed individuals. These results highlight the dual role of essential and toxic elements, with low concentrations being potentially protective but higher concentrations increasing genotoxicity. Women consistently exhibited higher MNBN frequencies than men, suggesting sex-specific susceptibilities. This study highlights the compounded risks of chronic metal exposure in mining-impacted regions and underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate genotoxic risks in vulnerable populations.

The waste generated from cement manufacturing is an important source of heavy metal contamination of groundwater and soil. This study investigated the concentration of toxic metals in the soil of a major cement factory and nearby groundwater. Ecological and carcinogenic risks of the metals were calculated. Potential reproductive toxicity and genotoxic effects of the samples were assessed in the sex and somatic cells of male mice using sperm abnormalities and bone marrow micronucleus (MN) assays, respectively. Also, the serum ALP, ALT, AST, total testosterone (TT), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); and liver SOD and CAT activities were measured in the treated mice. Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cd, and Pb levels in the soil and groundwater exceeded the allowable maximum standard. Ingestion and dermal contact were the most probable routes of human exposure with children having about 3 times higher probability of exposure to the metals than adults. Ni, Pb, and Cr presented carcinogenic risks in children and adults. In the MN result, nuclear abnormalities in the studied mice especially micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes increased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared to the negative control, the ratio of PCE/NCE showed the cytotoxicity of the 2 samples. Data further showed a significant increase in the serum ALP, AST, and ALT while the liver CAT and SOD activities concomitantly decreased in the exposed mice. Sperm morphology results showed that the samples contained constituents capable of inducing reproductive toxicity in exposed organisms, with alterations to the concentrations of TT, LH, and FSH. Toxic metal constituents of the samples were believed to induce these reported reproductive toxicity and genotoxic effects. These results showed the environmental pollution caused by cement factories and the potential effects the pollutants might have on exposed eukaryotic organisms.