Investigation on the Impact of Differently Treated PM2.5 on Cell Viability of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (Beas-2b) and the Construction of Bio-Hazard Index

Abstract

After PM2.5 is inhaled by the human body, various pathogens such as influenza viruses, can cause many respiratory diseases, causing local clogging of the lungs and causing damage. At present, the research on the effect of PM2.5 on human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and the toxicity of the respiratory system only focuses on the single source PM2.5. The effects of different native PM2.5 on human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and the toxicity of the respiratory system have not been reported. In this paper, the effects of artificial PM2.5 graphene particles, sterilized atmospheric PM2.5 particles and unsterilized atmospheric PM2.5 particles on the viability of immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) are investigated. The Bio-hazard Index describing the effects of PM2.5 on human respiratory health is constructed based on the change of BEAS-2B cell viability under different PM2.5 concentrations in the cell culture. The index can evaluate the pysiological impact of PM2.5 on the human body, and is more intuitive than the current AQI, which only discribes the physical concentration of PM2.5 in the air. The index thus provides a more accurate hazard prevention warning for susceptible population.