Air Pollution Causes Gene Damage in Mice

Sooty air pollution can cause genetic damage in mice that can be passed along to offspring, Canadian researchers reported in this week’s issue of the journal Science.

The team from Ontario’s McMaster University found that the culprit was airborne particulate matter, better known as soot, and was concerned that it could produce the same damage in humans.

The specific DNA changes observed in sperm aren’t linked to disease, but they’re similar to a type of damage that is. The researchers said more study was needed to see whether the damage was a marker for potential health problems and whether pollution-spurred, disease-causing mutations could be inherited too.