This study contributes to the evaluation of genotoxic activity of
coal tailings, a byproduct of the coal mining industry, using H.
aspersa as a measure to indicate possible effects on human health.
Our work provides biological data on this land snail exposed to coal
tailings, confirming the sensitivity of the Comet assay in the
assessment of complex mixtures. Also indicated association
between the chemical elements from the extraction of coal as
the main cause of DNA damage in cells of hemolymph of this terrestrial
mollusk. We also suggest oxidative stress as the main agent
causing the damage observed. Thus, these results demonstrate that
the coal tailings from coal extraction and processing are potentially
genotoxic, as demonstrated to H. aspersa and probably to other
trophic levels, and that this mollusk is a good biomonitor of environmental
genotoxicity