A Macrophage-Based Method for the Assessment of the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Activity of Atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) and Application to Routine (Daily-24 h) Aerosol Monitoring Studies

Abstract

Both short- and long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution have been demonstrated to cause increases in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory disorders. Although the specific mechanisms by which exposure to PM cause these affects are unclear, significant evidence has accumulated to suggest that PM exposure leads to increased inflammation as the result of excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in critical cell types. In order to better understand how real-world PM exposure causes adverse health effects, there is a need to efficiently integrate metrics of PM toxicity into large scale air monitoring and health effects/epidemiology studies. Here we describe a rapid, inexpensive, method that can be employed to assess the potential of sub-mg masses of PM to generate oxidative stress in alveolar macrophage cells. Importantly, the approach is compatible with routine daily PM sampling programs such as those administered by EPA (Speciation trends network (STN), IMPROVE netw...