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Capuchins apply many organic materials, especially leaves, to their skin. Protection against ectoparasites is the most commonly discussed explanation for the behavior. We describe fur rubbing with carpenter ants (Camponotus rufipes) by semifree-ranging tufted capuchins (Cebus apella) in the Tietê Ecological Park, São Paulo, Brazil. Carpenter ants produce and secrete high concentrations of formic acid, which repels tick nymphs. Anting occurred significantly more often during months of seasonal incidence of nymphs of the tick Amblyomma cajennense, and the behavior was not related to ant-eating. We argue that anting behavior in tufted capuchins fits the hypothesis of protection against ectoparasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formaldehyde (FA) is a carcinogenic aldehyde illegally added to creams as a hair straightening agent for the Brazilian blowout (BB). This study aimed to investigate the possible effects of occupational exposure to FA on global DNA methylation in salon workers with different exposure levels. FA exposure was monitored using environmental and biological measurements. The study included 49 salon workers divided by FA levels in the workplace into group A (FA < 0.01 ppm; n = 8), group B (0.03 ppm < FA < 0.06 ppm; n = 15), and group C (0.08 ppm < FA < 0.24 ppm; n = 26). The global DNA methylation levels were 3.12%, 4.55%, and 4.29% for groups A, B, and C, respectively, with statistically higher values for groups B and C compared to group A (p = 0.002). A correlation was found between FA in passive samplers and global DNA methylation (r s  = 0.307, p = 0.032). Additionally, when only taking into account the hairdressers that performed the BB on clients instead of the whole group, a stronger correlation was observed between FA in personal passive samplers and global DNA methylation (r s  = 0.764, p = 0.006). For the first time, an increase in DNA methylation was observed in subjects occupationally exposed to FA. In conclusion, our results indicated that even low levels of FA exposure could cause a disturbance in DNA methylation, leading to epigenetic changes, which is associated with cancer development. These data suggest a possible contribution of FA to cancer development through occupational exposure.