The potential health risks from exposure to genotoxic substances were assessed through DNA-damage levels and DNA repair
capacity. DNA strand breaks were significantly higher, whereas DNA repair capacity was significantly reduced in Bangkok children.
Genetic polymorphisms have been detected in glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes involved
in the metabolism of benzene and PAHs, but these polymorphisms had no significant effects on the biomarkers of PAH exposure.
Our results indicate that children living in a mega city such as Bangkok may have an increased health risk of the development of
certain diseases due to exposure to genotoxic substances in air pollution compared to children living in suburban/rural areas.