Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of fine particulate matter (PM2.5): a polluted city experiencing Middle East dust events

Abstract

Exposure to air pollutants especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses serious risks to human health including cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. However, depending on the meteorological conditions and emission sources, chemical composition of PM2.5 and consequently related adverse health effects may vary in different locations. In this study, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of water-soluble and organic fraction of ambient air PM2.5 of Isfahan city, Iran, were evaluated using the MTT and comet assay, respectively. Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as important toxic agents of organic fraction of particles were also determined. The results showed that both fraction of PM2.5 especially organic fraction induce cytotoxic and genotoxic effects at tested concentrations. Analysis of PAHs showed a concentration of 1.5–18.6 ng/m3 of total PAHs and 0.99–11.2 ng/m3 for carcinogenic PAHs, respectively, with an important role on the toxic effect of PM2.5 organic fraction. Overall, our results showed a considerable cytotoxic effect (0–64) of organic fraction of fine particles at all times of the year which may be related to the vehicular emission. In addition, the results showed more cytotoxicity of water-soluble fraction of PM2.5 in dust events. The results of study highlight the need to reduce PM2.5 pollution especially through controlling of PAH emission sources such as vehicles. However, further research is needed to improve our knowledge about the PM chemical composition and related emission sources to manage air pollution-associated health effects. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2023.