Toxicity assessment and heavy metal components of inhalable particulate matters (PM2.5 & PM10) during a dust storm invading the city

Abstract

Dust storm (DS) represent global air pollution and health issues considering the high morbidity and premature death rate every year. This study explores the characteristics, composition, and variations in inhalable particulate matters (PMs) as well as their corresponding in vitro toxicity to human lung epithelial cells (A549) during DS and normal days (ND) in the downtown (DT) and the north suburban (NS) of Nanjing city, eastern China. Results showed that compared to ND, concentrations of heavy metals (i.e., Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb) bound in PMs were lower during the DS. Furthermore, the relationship of cytotoxicity with Ni and Pb levels in PMs was significant. However, the cytotoxicity difference was insignificant between NS and DT. This may be due to the long-range transport of components from natural sources mixed with local pollutants emitted from anthropogenic sources, offsetting the pollution difference between urban and suburban areas. During both periods, PM2.5 toxicity was greater than PM10, while the potential of PM10 to induce proinflammatory cytokines was comparable to PM2.5. Results suggested that inflammation risk will increase significantly during DS due to a substantial increase in ambient air PM10 concentration.